With End Diaper Need Act, Congress Could Improve Child Health, Help Working Families

Proposed legislation would providing funding to states and other eligible organizations, such as nonprofit diaper banks, to get diapers to families in need.

NEW HAVEN, CT, UNITED STATES, May 21, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- On Tuesday, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Peter Welch (D-VT), and U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12) introduced the bicameral End Diaper Need Act of 2025, which would provide federal funding to help the 1 in 2 U.S. families with young children who cannot afford an adequate supply of diapers for their babies.

“Our more than 240 member diaper banks are keeping babies healthier and helping parents access child care,” said National Diaper Bank Network CEO Joanne Samuel Goldblum. “But our research shows that diaper need has become much more widespread in the years that we have been tracking it. Unmet diaper need is pervasive in all of our communities throughout the country. A public health issue of this scale cannot be solved without our government investing in the proven solution to end diaper need.”

Introduced in both the Senate (S. 1815) and the House (H.R. 3508), the bipartisan legislation would make federal funding available to states and other eligible organizations, such as nonprofit diaper banks, to get diapers to families in need. It also provides support for adult incontinence products for people who have a low income or disability. The funding, which would come through the Social Services Block Grant Program, would total $200 million for each fiscal year through 2029.

Previous versions of the bill have not advanced in either the Senate or the House. But advocates believe that new research showing the health and economic gains arising from providing diapers to families will persuade members of Congress to invest in the well-being of vulnerable children.

“Diaper banks achieve amazing outcomes for the families they serve,” said Goldblum. “When soiled diapers are not changed as needed, babies develop painful rashes, infections, and other illnesses that require preventable and costly medical care. One in four parents miss work or school because they cannot afford the diapers that child care providers require them to supply. Giving babies diapers keeps children healthier and helps families prosper.”

Organizations endorsing the legislation include: Aeroflow, Center for Baby and Adult Hygiene Products, Center for Law and Social Policy, Child Welfare League of America, Coalition on Human Needs, First Focus for Children, HDI Wholesale, HIPPY US, JSL, Kimberly-Clark Corp., MomsRising, National Diaper Bank Network, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, Parents as Teachers, and ZERO TO THREE. Additional nonprofits and businesses are expected to join the list of supporters in the coming weeks.

About National Diaper Bank Network:
The National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) leads a nationwide movement dedicated to helping individuals, children and families access the basic necessities they require to thrive and reach their full potential, including clean, dry diapers, period supplies, and other basic needs. Launched in 2011 with the support of founding sponsor Huggies^®, NDBN is dedicated to creating awareness, providing assistance, and building community to #EndDiaperNeed in the U.S. Its active membership includes more than 320 basic needs banks serving local communities in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. More information on NDBN and diaper need is available at nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org, and on Instagram (@DiaperNetwork), X, formerly Twitter (@DiaperNetwork), Facebook (facebook.com/NationalDiaperBankNetwork), and Bluesky (@diapernetwork.bsky.social).

Troy Moore
National Diaper Bank Network
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