Volume 6 | February 9, 2018
NDBN Policy Newsletter
Hearings, new bills, and good news for babies, and a reminder to sign up for Lobby Day!
State Legislative Update
The hearing by the Arizona House's Health Committee on HB2217, to exempt diapers and menstrual products, has been postponed until February 15th. To recap, the bill has already been approved by the House Ways and Means committee. If the Health Committee approves it, it will be considered by the entire House.

Speaking of Ways and Means Committees, in Maryland the W&M committee held a hearing on HB345, the proposal to exempt diapers from sales tax. Above,you can see a picture of democracy in action as Share Baby's Amina Ross testifies next to Maryland Delegate Waldstreicher at the hearing.

In Virginia, HB 24, a bill to exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax was approved by the Finance Subcommittee.

And if you are wondering about the state of diaper and tampon tax writ large, check out our recently updated 50 State Sales Tax Survey.
Federal Legislative Activity
Did you hear the good news that there is a 2 year bipartisan Senate budget proposal that includes augmented funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) that provides subsidies for child care through the states, and extends the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECVH) program? Both programs are close to our heart since they help with families care for their little ones and many home visiting programs partner with diaper banks. Read about one such partnership here.
NDBN Lobby Day in Pennsylvania

Our plans for the NDBN Lobby Day in Pennsylvania are solidifying--we are booking appointments with committee chairs and designing tee shirts. We will meet in Harrisburg on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Please join us and register here. Or pass this registration on to people you know who care about diaper need in Pennsylvania. You do not have to be a diaper bank to join the fun!
Just for fun
The Census posted a new report on where all the babies are being born, Is your state one of the baby boom sites? Check out the report here.

Also, ZERO TO THREE will be holding Strolling Thunder on May 8th in DC . Do you know a family who would be excited to travel to Washington, DC with their baby or toddler and share their story with their Members of Congress and staff? Then we need your help! 
There is no experience necessary, but we’d like participants to see themselves as advocates – whether that means speaking up for their child’s needs, or contacting an elected official about an issue. ZERO TO THREE will cover all travel costs for a parent, their child  under age three , and an adult travel companion to assist with child care. We want families to be as comfortable as possible, and will provide guidance, training and support to families before and during their trip.
If you know a family who may be interested, please have them fill out this Interest Form by Friday, February 23:  http://www.thinkbabies.org/strollingthunder/interest/ . If you or they have any questions, please read our  FAQ  or feel free to contact us at  policycenter@zerotothree.org.  We will follow up with everyone who expresses interest by late March to let them know if they have been selected.
NDBN Lobby Day in Washington
Plan on joining us for the third annual NDBN Lobby Day on March 21 and 22, 2018. We will be staying at the Liaison Hotel again this year. (You are free to stay elsewhere, but you know where the party will be!) Hope you can make it! P.S. There will be tee shirts!
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