federal issues
There are many ways that diaper need can be met through legislation and other policies considered by the Congress or the Administration. These are are few…
Federal Legislation
118th Congress (January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025)
The 118th United States Congress convened on January 3, 2023. 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. Updates will be posted here once they become available.
Bills from the 117th Congress (January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023)
Lee-DeLauro End Diaper Need Act of 2021 (H.R. 259)
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 “medically necessary” so that families can purchase them through health savings accounts and HRAs.
Federal Funding for Diaper Banks
In 2022, the federal government appropriated $10 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.
Early Head Start and Head Start
Diapers are provided to children enrolled in Early Head Start and Head Start center-based programs during the time they are in the center. Diapers are not required in home-based programs. There are not enough slots for all the children who would be eligible for Early Head Start to enroll–only about 4% of children who are eligible can enroll.
See the program instruction that requires Head Start and Early Head Start to provide diapers here.
Child Care Development Funds (CCDF)
The Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program provides subsidies for low-income families needing child care. Child care centers receiving CCDF though these subsidies are not required to provide diapers. Indeed, most child care programs require parents to provide their own diapers. States may use CCDBG moneys for diapers, but the CCDBG program is so underfunded with so many mandates that for most states, the funds are expended by paying for salaries, facilities, and quality improvement programs. Indeed, in most states, the CCDBG funds for the state does not cover the need.