Title: Supporting the goals and ideals of "National Diaper Need Awareness Week".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Diaper Need Awareness Week. (Diaper need is a shortage of diapers for infants and toddlers that can affect the well-being of children and their families.)
Expresses gratitude for those who operate or support diaper banks and distribution programs, and encourages people to donate generously to such organizations.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 490 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 490

  Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Diaper Need Awareness 
                                Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 28, 2017

   Ms. DeLauro (for herself, Mr. Ellison, and Ms. Lee) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
                         and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Diaper Need Awareness 
                                Week''.

Whereas diaper need, the lack of a sufficient supply of clean diapers to ensure 
        that infants and toddlers remain clean, healthy, and dry, can adversely 
        affect the physical, mental, and economic well-being of infants, 
        toddlers, and their families;
Whereas diapers are a material basic need of every infant and toddler;
Whereas an infant requires up to 12 diapers per day, at a cost of $70 to $80 per 
        month;
Whereas national surveys report that one in three mothers experience diaper need 
        at some time before their child is three years old;
Whereas additional studies state that diaper need increases maternal depression;
Whereas 48 percent of families delay changing a diaper to extend their supply of 
        diapers, thereby increasing incidents of diaper dermatitis, urinary 
        tract infections, and other health ailments;
Whereas there are no government assistance programs that help low-wage families 
        and those living in poverty purchase diapers;
Whereas the poorest 20 percent of Americans that buy diapers spend nearly 14 
        percent of their after-tax income on diapers, which can cause economic 
        hardship for families and force many to make impossible choices between 
        food, heat, and diapers;
Whereas most child care centers require parents to provide a day's supply of 
        disposable diapers (approximately four to six per child), making diapers 
        necessary for many parents to go to work or school;
Whereas addressing diaper need in local communities can improve health 
        conditions and economic opportunities for infants, toddlers, and their 
        families;
Whereas in September 2011, the first national statement on diaper need was 
        developed and issued to provide consistency in describing the condition 
        and to raise awareness of the issue among the general public;
Whereas the more than 300 nonprofit diaper banks and diaper pantries that are 
        members of the National Diaper Bank Network across 46 States distributed 
        over 52,000,000 donated diapers during 2016, helping ensure that more 
        than 278,000 children had the diapers they needed;
Whereas each year, during the month of September, the National Diaper Bank 
        Network and its members hold numerous activities and events to increase 
        public awareness of diaper need; and
Whereas the week of September 25 through October 1, 2017, would be an 
        appropriate week to designate as ``National Diaper Need Awareness 
        Week'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its gratitude for those who operate or 
        support diaper banks and diaper distribution programs in their 
        local communities;
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Diaper Need 
        Awareness Week''; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to address 
        diaper need by donating generously to diaper banks, diaper 
        drives, and those organizations that distribute diapers to 
        families in need.
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