On the 17th of March 2022, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Senate Bill 5838, the End Diaper Need Act, sponsored by state Senator T'wina Nobles, to address a diaper need for Washington families who are on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
The Diaper Need Act directs a monthly diaper subsidy to be distributed by the Department of Social and Health Services to parents and caregivers who receive TANF and have children under the age of three years old to help pay for diapers.
When families cannot afford diapers, they often use paper towels, plastic bags, or even re-use dirty diapers. 1 in 3 U.S. families with young children experience diaper need, exposing these babies to potential health risks and making it less likely for them to be accepted to day cares, leaving their parents or caregivers, unable to attend work.
Governor Jay Inslee’s signing of Bill SB 5838, the End Diaper Need Act, is a huge leap forward in meeting the basic needs of every child, not only in Washington state, but potentially right around the world as other states and countries hopefully follow!
Thank you to everyone that played such an important part in the End Diaper Need Act to enable families access to the basic essentials that help keep babies clean, dry and healthy.
This historic development is hopefully a pivotal moment in ending diaper need forever.
Additional Resources:
For more information on the Bill, visit https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5838.pdf
For more information, visit: https://westsidebaby.org/a-historic-win-for-families-experiencing-diaper-need/