Bill Text: NJ AR98 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Declares week of September 22 through September 28, 2024 as "Diaper Need Awareness Week."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-01 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee [AR98 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-AR98-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Declares week of September 22 through September 28, 2024 as "Diaper Need Awareness Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution declaring the week of September 22 through September 28, 2024 as "Diaper Need Awareness Week."
Whereas, Diaper Need is the condition of not having a sufficient supply of clean diapers to ensure that infants and toddlers are clean, healthy, and dry; and
Whereas, Diaper Need can adversely affect the health and welfare of infants, toddlers, and their families; and
Whereas, National surveys report that one in three mothers experience Diaper Need at some time while their children are less than three years of age, and forty-eight percent of families delay changing a diaper to extend their supply; and
Whereas, The average infant or toddler requires an average of 50 diaper changes per week over three years; and
Whereas, Diapers cannot be bought with food stamps or WIC vouchers, therefore, obtaining a sufficient supply of diapers can cause economic hardship to low-income families; and
Whereas, A supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement for infants and toddlers to participate in childcare programs and quality early education programs; and
Whereas, The people of New Jersey recognize that addressing Diaper Need can lead to economic opportunity for the state's low-income families and can lead to improved health for families and their communities; and
Whereas, New Jersey is proud to be home to various community organizations that recognize the importance of diapers in helping provide economic stability for families and distribute diapers to poor families through various channels; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper that the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey honor "Diaper Need Awareness Week" to promote general awareness of Diaper Need and promote efforts to alleviate Diaper Need; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House declares the week of September 22 through September 28, 2024 as "Diaper Need Awareness Week" in the State of New Jersey, in order to foster public awareness of Diaper Need and encourage citizens to donate generously to local diaper banks, diaper drives, and those organizations that distribute diapers to families in need to help alleviate Diaper Need in New Jersey.
2. All governmental agencies in this State are urged to observe "Diaper Need Awareness Week" by organizing diaper drives to gather donations to support diaper banks and other organizations working to alleviate Diaper Need.
3. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Diaper Need Awareness Week" with appropriate activities and programs.
STATEMENT
This resolution declares the week of September 22 through September 28, 2024 as "Diaper Need Awareness Week" in New Jersey. Diaper Need is defined as the condition of not having a sufficient supply of clean diapers to ensure that infants and toddlers are clean, healthy, and dry. National surveys report that one in three mothers experience Diaper Need at some time while their children are less than three years of age, and forty-eight percent of families delay changing a diaper to extend their supply. Diaper Need can adversely affect the health and welfare of infants, toddlers, and their families, and can deny children eligibility for childcare and early education programs.
The resolution urges governmental agencies in this State to observe "Diaper Need Awareness Week" by organizing diaper drives, and requests the Governor to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Diaper Need Awareness Week" with appropriate activities and programs.
