[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”https:\/\/nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/federal-issues-header2.jpg” title_text=”federal-issues-header2″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_image][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-21px|||” custom_padding=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”1529.7px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”63.4px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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The 118th United States Congress convened on January 3, 2023.\u00a0 National Diaper Bank Network is working with elected officials to introduce new legislation, and re-introduce bills from the previous Congress, related to material basic necessities for individuals, children and families.\u00a0 Updates will be posted here once they become available.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Introduced September 21, 2023 by Senator Tammy Duckworth and Senator Kevin Cramer, the Senate End Diaper Need Act would Authorize $200 million per year for fiscal years 2024 to 2027 to provide diapers and diapering supplies; Allow for 200 medically necessary diapers be provided per month for medically complex children through the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program; and Make medically necessary diapers and diapering qualified medical expenses so that families can purchase them using their HSAs or HRAs. Senator Duckworth and Senate Cramer were joined by Senator Bob Casey, Senator Tina Smith, and Senator Mark Kelly as original cosponsors of the bill.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/b><\/b>Introduced September 21, 2023 by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, the End Diaper Need Act of 2023 (H.R. 5644) would appropriate $200 million each fiscal year from 2024-2027 to fund the expansion and scaling of programs addressing diaper need and improving the health and well-being of infants, toddlers, and families across America. This bill also defines diapers as \u201cmedically necessary\u201d so that families can purchase them through health savings accounts and HRAs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Introduced May 15, 2023 by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the Improving Diaper Need Act of 2023 (H.R. 3352) would treat diapers as qualified medical expenses under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)\u00a0 and prohibit state and local sales taxes on diapers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In 2022, the federal government appropriated $10 million and in 2023 appropriated $20 million in funding dedicated to expanding diaper distribution programs. This historic investment was championed by Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Barbara Lee and Senators Tammy Duckworth, Kevin Cramer, and Bob Casey, and was supported by numerous other Members of Congress. This funding represents the first time that the federal government has invested specifically in supporting diaper distribution programs across the country. For Fiscal Year 2024 (FY \u201824), our congressional champions are seeking $20 million in additional funding for diaper distribution programs.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”1331px” custom_margin=”-29px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”||10px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Introduced January 11, 2021 by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, the End Diaper Need Act of 2021 (H.R.259) would appropriate $100 million each fiscal year from 2021-2024 to fund the expansion and scaling of programs addressing diaper need and improving the health and wellbeing of infants, toddlers, and families across America. This bill also defines diapers as \u201cmedically necessary\u201d so that families can purchase them through health savings accounts and HRAs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Introduced February 8, 2021 by Senator Tammy Duckworth, Senator Kevin Cramer, and Senator Robert (Bob) Casey, the Senate End Diaper Need Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to create a demonstration project to fund state or local agencies, nonprofits, or tribal organizations addressing the diaper needs of low-income families with infants and toddlers. Similar to H.R. 259, S. 304 would appropriate money ($200 million) to fund the project and would define diapers as \u201cmedically necessary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Introduced February 16, 2022 by Senator Joni Ernst and cosponsored by Senator Bob Casey and Senator Tammy Duckworth, the DIAPER Act would allow the cost of diapers as an allowable medical expense for purposes of health savings accounts (HSAs) and health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs). The bill recognizes diapers as a basic necessity for keeping children clean, dry, and healthy and would make it easier for many families to afford the diapers they need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In 2022, the federal government appropriated $10 million and in 2023 appropriated $20 million in funding dedicated to expanding diaper distribution programs. This historic investment was championed by Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Barbara Lee and Senators Tammy Duckworth, Kevin Cramer, and Bob Casey. Numerous additional Senators and Representatives supported efforts to secure this funding. The $10 million provided for a federal pilot program in FY 2022 represents the first time that the federal government has invested specifically in supporting diaper distribution programs across the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”13px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”832.2px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-18px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Federal assistance programs do not currently provide adequate funds for buying diapers. Diapers cannot be bought with SNAP (formerly called \u201cfood stamps\u201d) or WIC.<\/span><\/p>\n SNAP <\/b>and <\/span>WIC<\/b> should NOT be used for diapers. They are nutrition programs administered by the Department of Agriculture.\u00a0 Diapers would be a big cost addition to these programs that already face budget challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Diapers can be bought with TANF cash assistance, but nationwide only 23% of families living below the Federal Poverty Level receive cash assistance through TANF. In 13 states, fewer than 10 of every 100 poor families receive cash assistance. The funds they do receive are insufficient to buy diapers and pay all the other expenses (utility bills, rent, other hygiene essentials, clothing, etc.) that money is supposed to cover.<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about TANF<\/span> here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nDuckworth-Cramer End Diaper Need Act of 2023 (S. 2879)<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Lee-DeLauro End Diaper Need Act of 2023 (H.R. 5644)<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Watson Coleman-DeLauro-Lee Improving Diaper Need Act of 2023 (H.R. 3352)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Federal Funding for Diaper Banks<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Bills from the 117th Congress (January 3, 2021 \u2013 January 3, 2023)<\/b><\/h2>\n
Lee-DeLauro End Diaper Need Act of 2021 (H.R. 259)<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Duckworth, Cramer, and Casey End Diaper Need Act of 2021 (S. 304)<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Ernst-Casey DIAPER Act (S. 3660)<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Federal Funding for Diaper Banks<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Federal Programs Investing in Children and Families<\/b><\/h2>\n
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) & Women, Infants and Children (WIC)<\/b><\/h4>\n
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)<\/b><\/h4>\n
Early Head Start and Head Start<\/b><\/h4>\n