What's happening
This bill allows social services recipients in New York to receive up to $80 every three months for diapers for eligible children under age two.
Why it matters
Addresses a critical need for low-income families. By providing a specific diaper allowance, the bill helps reduce financial stress for families who rely on public assistance, addressing a basic health and hygiene necessity for young children.
Targets a known gap in current social services. Diapers are not covered by most existing assistance programs (like SNAP or WIC), so this provision fills an important gap, potentially reducing instances of parents having to ration diapers or reuse them unsafely.
May improve child health and parental employment stability. Reliable access to diapers can lead to fewer health issues for children (such as diaper rash and infections) and allow parents to participate in work or childcare programs that require parents to provide diapers.
Sets a clear, predictable benefit. Capping the allowance at $80 every three months per eligible child gives families a stable, predictable resource to budget around, while also limiting the fiscal impact on the state.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Fund Diapers for Young Children
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to children and families
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to children and families
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 With Diaper Costs
In Assembly Committee · Social Services · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
179
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. PERSAUD, BROUK, JACKSON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Children and Families
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 on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00836-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to allowances for the costs of diapers
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill creates an allowance for eligible parents to receive a quar- terly allowance to assist in the purchasing of diapers for their chil- dren two years and under.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 would amend section 350 of the social services law by adding a new paragraph (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 eligi- ble child, two years of age or younger. Said allowances shall not exceed eighty dollars every three months, per eligible child.
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Children under the age of two require frequent diaper changes, which can become financially challenging for low-income parents. Frequent diaper changes are also necessary to prevent diaper rash, which if left untreated, could lead to other health issues for the baby. Helping parents gain an adequate supply of diapers will assist in avoiding further health issues for their children. The bill would provide eligi- ble parents with an allowance to purchase diapers. Every three months, parents of children aged two years and younger will be eligible to receive up to eighty dollars, which will assist those who have trouble affording diapers.
Prior legislative history
2022: S. 63 passed Senate only
2021: S. 63 passed Senate only
2020: S1086-B reported to Senate Finance
2019: S.1086-B passed Senate only
2017 - 2018: S.13181/A.5793 - referred to Senate Children and Families
2016 - 2017: Referred to Senate Children and Families
Fiscal implications to state and local government
To be determined.
Effective date
On the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.