We've been away from the newsletter for a couple of weeks, but not because things aren't happening!

In Illinois, a bill SB 2881 has been introduced to reduce the rate of sales tax on diapers, baby wipes, and condoms to 1%, Additionally, a second attempt to create a diaper subsidy ($30 a month for children in families at less than 50% of the federal poverty level), HB 4826 has been introduced.

In Missouri, SB 1015 and HB 2440 would create a tax credit for businesses that donate to diaper banks (similar to a proposal in Pennsylvania, HB 1820). Also in Missouri, HB 2503 would change the sales tax rate on feminine hygiene products and diapers be the same as food, currently 1.225%).

In New Jersey, there is a resolution before the Assembly's Women and Children Committee to urge the Congress and the President to enact legislation to create a program to subsidize the purchase of diapers. You can read more about NJ AR 122 here. And you can join us to lobby for the bill in Congress on March 21 and 22!

West Virginia joins the growing list of SSUTA member states considering an exemption to the state sales tax for diapers. HB 4536 would exempt both diapers and feminine hygiene products from the state's sales tax.

Unfortunately there is a bit of bad news as well this week. Utah's Revenue and Taxation Committee declined to advance HB 262, the Hygiene Act.

In local/state news, Councilman Treyger of New York City held a press conference to discuss his bill, IRT 1777, also there were New York Senator Roxanne Persaud, who has sponsored a state subsidy bill, SO1318 which would provide $30 every third month for families on assistance with children under 2 years old. You can read about the press conference here (NDBN's Alison Weir also spoke).

Legislators continue to join the push to provide fro diapers. California's Doris Matsui recently joined as a cosponsor of the Hygiene Assistance for Families of Infants and Toddlers Act, HR 1143, raising the total number of sponsors to 46.

Our DC Lobby Day policy panel will be talking about federal programs where diapers serve an important role, even if not officially mandated by the legislation or regulation. Early Head Start provides diapers to remove barriers to participation in the program, and although diapers are not required as part of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECVH) program many home visiting programs partner with diaper banks. Read about one such partnership here.