Zupkus Co-Sponsors Bill to Stop Taxing Baby Diapers

HARTFORD- In an effort to provide much needed relief to struggling families, State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) co-sponsored a bill exempting baby diapers from the state sales tax.

The measure, House Bill 6595, An Act Exempting Baby Diapers from the Sales Tax, would exempt baby diapers from the 6.35% state sales tax. The bill passed unanimously out of the Children’s committee and moves to the House of Representatives for further debate.

Under current state law, adult diapers fall within a state sales tax exemption for “certain disposable pads prepared for use in the manner of a diaper or as an under-pad. Adult diapers are classified, according to the state Department of Revenue Services, as “medical goods and equipment” but baby diapers are not.

“As a mother, I am very proud to co-sponsor this bill in support of moms and dads, caregivers and families who are caring for young children,” said Zupkus, a member of the House Republican Women’s Caucus.  “Baby diapers are one of many very costly monthly expenses when caring for infants and toddlers.  This bill will provide immediate relief for those families in need.”

During the public hearing on the bill, the Children’s committee heard testimony from The Diaper Bank who testified that due to the high cost of diapers, in poor and low-income households, babies can sometimes spend a day or longer in one diaper, leading to a risk of numerous health problems.

The Diaper Bank (TDB) helps to consolidate fundraising and distribution efforts of free diapers to poor families through existing service providers. Through its extensive Diaper Distribution Network (DDN) of 66 agencies, TDB provides free diapers to poor and low-income families in New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, and Middlesex Counties.

It’s estimated that disposable baby diapers can cost more than $50 per month, or at least $600 in the first year. While this would be expensive for any family, it is particularly burdensome for low-income families. At present, safety-net programs such as the Food Stamp Program and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) do not cover the cost of diapers.

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