SB21-027 (Pettersen/Gonzales-Gutierrez & Tipper) Emergency Supplies for Colorado Babies and Families
Summary
This bill would provide funding to nonprofit organizations across the state, including diaper banks and family resource centers, to allow these organizations to distribute diapers to families in their communities.
Position
The Children’s Campaign supports this bill. Even before the pandemic, one in three families reported experiencing diaper need. Families are not able to use assistance like SNAP and WIC to help purchase diapers, and report re-using disposable diapers or using plastic bags and toilet paper when they run out of diapers each month. This leads to health complications for babies. Some parents also report missing up to four days of work per month due to not being able to provide enough diapers to their child care. There is a strong connection between diaper need and maternal depression, which impacts moms and babies. Diapers are one of the most basic, essential things that parents need to be able to provide for their children.
Current Status
Senate concurred with House Amendments. The bill repassed the Senate 19-3 and now heads to the Governor for signature.
Previous Statuses
March 5, 2021
Passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on a vote of 4-3 and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee
February 19, 2021
Introduced in the Senate on Feb. 16 and assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee
