Pennsylvania HB 1417: An Act establishing the Community Diaper, Brief and Incontinence Products Grant Fund; directing the Department of Aging to establish a program to improve access to incontinence supplies; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Human Services.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1639 PRINTER'S NO. 2534
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1417
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, DONAHUE, GIRAL, HANBIDGE,
HOHENSTEIN, HOWARD, MAYES, FLEMING, RUSNOCK AND MULLINS,
MAY 6, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, OCTOBER 28, 2025
AN ACT
Establishing the Community Diaper and Incontinence Products
Grant Program and the Community Diaper, BRIEF and
Incontinence Products Grant Program Fund; directing the
Department of Aging to establish a program to improve access
to incontinence supplies; and imposing powers and duties on
the Department of Human Services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Community
Diaper, BRIEF and Incontinence Products Act.
Section 2. Legislative intent.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) The establishment of a grant program GRANTS to
provide funding to improve, enhance and expand access to
clean diapers will, BRIEFS AND INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS TO
protect and enhance the health and well-being of infants,
children, incontinent adults and their families.
(2) Infants and children who are living in households
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with little or no access to clean diapers often spend a day
or longer in one diaper, leading to significant potential
health risks.
(3) A supply of clean diapers is usually a requirement
for infants and children to attend and participate in child-
care programs and not having a reliable supply of clean
diapers impedes individuals in obtaining and maintaining
employment.
(4) Most public resources, such as the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants
and Children Program (WIC), do not help offset the costs of
these needed diapers, BRIEFS AND INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS.
(5) For incontinent adults, the lack of access to
diapers BRIEFS AND INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS is a growing health
care concern.
(6) Health care experts affirm that when an adult is
left wearing a soiled diaper UNDERGARMENT, there is an
immediate danger of skin problems, including skin breakdown
that can bring on life-threatening infections, especially in
older adults.
(7) This Commonwealth has a compelling interest in
developing programs OPPORTUNITIES that improve access to
diapers, BRIEFS AND INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS for infants,
children and incontinent adults.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Human Services of the
Commonwealth.
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"Diaper OR BRIEF bank." A nonprofit charitable organization
or a fiscally sponsored project of a nonprofit charitable
organization that collects or purchases diapers, BRIEFS and
other hygiene INCONTINENCE products for infants, children or
incontinent adults and regularly distributes diapers, BRIEFS AND
INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS over an extended period through two or
more partner agencies for eventual distribution to individuals
free of charge.
"Diaper OR BRIEF pantry." A nonprofit charitable
organization or a fiscally sponsored project of a nonprofit
charitable organization that collects or purchases diapers,
BRIEFS OR INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS for the purpose of regularly
distributing those diapers ITEMS directly to individuals free of
charge.
"Diaper OR BRIEF program." A program within a nonprofit
charitable organization or a fiscally sponsored project of a
nonprofit charitable organization, including,f but not limited
to, a food bank, service agency or health clinic that collects
or purchases diapers, BRIEFS OR INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS and
regularly distributes those diapers ITEMS either through direct
service free of charge or through two or more partner agencies
for eventual distribution to individuals free of charge.
"Fund." The Community Diaper, BRIEF and Incontinence
Products Grant Program Fund established under section 5.
"Nonprofit charitable organization." A nonprofit
organization within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)
(relating to exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts,
etc.).
"Program." The Community Diaper and Incontinence Products
Grant Program established under section 4.
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Section 4. Community Diaper and Incontinence Products Grant
Program. DIAPER, BRIEF AND INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS
GRANTS.
(a) Establishment.--The Community Diaper and Incontinence
Products Grant Program is established and shall be administered
by the department. The purpose of the program shall be to issue
grants to