What's happening
This bill allows social services allowances to include up to $80 every three months for diapers for eligible children under age two.
Why it matters
Addresses a basic health and hygiene need. By specifically allowing social services funds to cover diapers, the bill recognizes diapers as an essential necessity for families with infants and toddlers, potentially reducing health risks associated with diaper shortages.
Reduces financial strain on low-income families. The allowance provides targeted financial relief for families who struggle to afford the ongoing, significant cost of diapers, helping to prevent situations where parents must make difficult trade-offs between essentials.
May improve child welfare outcomes. Reliable access to diapers can lead to improved childcare attendance (as many daycares require parents to provide an adequate supply) and reduce stress on parents, both of which can positively impact early childhood development.
Sets a clear, capped benefit. By establishing a specific maximum allowance ($80 every three months, per eligible child under two), the bill creates predictability for both recipients and administrators, while also limiting the fiscal impact on the state budget.
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Who cares
Families receiving assistance with children age two or younger
The bill would allow diaper costs to be included in their allowances, capped at $80 every three months per eligible child.
New York State Department of Social Services
The bill would make diaper allowances subject to the department’s regulations.
State budget director
The bill would require the director’s approval of the regulations governing diaper allowances.
Headline styles
Fund Diaper Costs for Families
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to ways and means
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to social services
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Help Pay for Diapers
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Roxanne J. Persaud
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5973
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 21, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to allowances for the costs of diapers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 350 of the social services law is amended by adding a new paragraph (c) to read as follows:
(c) In accordance with the regulations of the department approved by the director of the budget, allowances granted under the provisions of this title may include the costs of diapers for an eligible child, two years of age or younger. Said allowances shall not exceed eighty dollars, every three months, per eligible child.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02134-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.