Gov. Jerry Brown approved a new California law now offers plant-based meal options to hospitals, healthcare facilities and prisons.
Created by Sen. Nancy Skinner, State Bill 1138 titled "Ensuring a Plant Based Meal Option" was approved on Sept. 18.
"Whether to protect animals, our climate or our health, those of us who choose to eat a vegan diet can celebrate today with Governor Brown’s signing of SB 113," said Skinner.
In a 2014 study by the Humane Research Council, the rate of current vegans and vegetarians now is five times higher than before.
Though passed, the bill does not offer full-fledged menu changes within prisons and healthcare facilities. It begins with offering at least one meal option a day.
The Physicians Committee Chairman Neal Barnard thanked Brown and Skinner for their efforts.
"Thanks to Senator Skinner and Governor Brown for this historic law to provide plant-based options to hospital patients looking to fight heart disease, diabetes, and obesity-or who simply want a more healthful meal," Barnard said.
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All of California’s 35 prisons will be required to provide alternative options to its total of 127,000 inmates.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will apply the newly-approved law to its establishments beginning January.
