A new California law is aiming to ease the cost burden associated with purchasing diapers for low income families.
The proposed new bill would be the first of its kind and would provide families who have children under the age of two with $50 per month in diaper vouchers while enrolled in a government assistance program. Currently, neither food stamps nor other benefits provided by the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program include vouchers that can be used to cover the cost of diapers.
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According to a report from Think Progress, the average infant can require up to 240 diapers a month at an estimated cost of at least $18 per week — a significantly large expense for low income families or those living below the state poverty line.
California lawmakers passed the bill earlier this week and are now awaiting a final signature of approval or veto from Governor Jerry Brown.