Bill Text: NJ AR179 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requests federal legislation relating to COVID-19 financial relief include money for states to fund emergency grants for diaper banks.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-08-27 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR179 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AR179-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman LINDA S. CARTER
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE CHAPARRO
District 33 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Requests federal legislation relating to COVID-19 financial relief include money for states to fund emergency grants for diaper banks.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution requesting federal legislation relating to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) financial relief include money for states to fund emergency grants for diaper banks.
Whereas, Diaper need is defined as the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or child clean, dry, and healthy; and
Whereas, Diaper need has been a concern for many decades; under normal circumstances, one in three families experience diaper need and; and
Whereas, Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, people have been stocking their pantries with household supplies like toilet paper, paper towels, disinfection wipes, hand sanitizer and diapers; and
Whereas, Panic buying of these items has emptied store shelves, disrupted national supply chains, and exacerbated the diaper needs in the United States; and
Whereas, Low-income families and parents who have lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic are struggling to afford diapers for their children; and
Whereas, Diminished supplies and concerns about leaving home have also lead to senior citizens with incontinence and adults with disabilities experiencing greater diaper need; and
Whereas, The National Diaper Bank Network, a nonprofit organization with a nationwide network of over 200 diaper banks, has seen demand for diapers increase by as much as 400 percent in some areas of the country; and
Whereas, Diaper banks are attempting to fill the gap between the lack of supply and increase demand by distributing diapers to those who are in need; and
Whereas, Because of safety guidelines, diaper banks can no longer accept certain types of donations, such as open packages, and social distancing restrictions have led to cuts in volunteer opportunities and diaper drives; and
Whereas, With widespread unemployment, a disrupted diaper supply chain, and COVID-19 restrictions, diaper banks are struggling to meet the increased demand for diapers; and
Whereas, In March 2020, the United State Congress agreed on the passage of a $2 trillion stimulus bill called the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act; and
Whereas, The aim of the law was to blunt the impact of an economic downturn set in motion by the global COVID-19 pandemic; and
Whereas, Policymakers crafted legislation that dedicates historic government funding to support large and small businesses, industries, individuals and families, gig workers and independent contractors, and hospitals; and
Whereas, However, the legislation did not address the current diaper shortage; and
Whereas, Any further legislation relating to COVID-19 financial relief enacted by the federal government should include money for states to fund emergency grants for diaper banks to provide families, in New Jersey and across the nation, with a steady supply of diapers for their children; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House requests any legislation enacted by the federal government relating to COVID-19 financial relief include money for states to fund emergency grants for diaper banks to provide families, in New Jersey and across the nation, with a steady supply of diapers for their children.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly, to every member of the New Jersey Congressional delegation and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Diaper Bank Network.
STATEMENT
This resolution requests that any legislation passed by the federal government relating to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) financial relief include money for states to fund emergency grants for diaper banks to provide families, in New Jersey and across the nation, with a steady supply of diapers for their children.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been stocking their pantries with household supplies like toilet paper, paper towels, disinfection wipes, hand sanitizer, and diapers. Panic buying of these items has emptied store shelves, disrupted national supply chains, and exacerbated the diaper needs in the United States.
As a result, diaper banks, which distribute diapers to families in need, are struggling to meet the needs of these families.
Enacting federal COVID-19 relief legislation that would include funds emergency grants for diaper banks will allow these organizations to supply diapers to low-income families and parents who have lost their jobs during the pandemic.