BILL NUMBER: SCR 131INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Gaines (Coauthor: Assembly Member Dahle) JUNE 24, 2014 Relative to Diaper Need Awareness Week. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 131, as introduced, Gaines. Diaper Need Awareness Week. This measure would proclaim the week of September 8, 2014, to September 14, 2014, inclusive, as Diaper Need Awareness Week and encourage California citizens to donate generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and those organizations that distribute diapers to families in need. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, The people of California recognize that economic opportunity for individuals can lead to improved health for families and their communities; and WHEREAS, Many children in California under three years of age live in low-income households, and 18 percent of all children under 18 years of age in the County of Nevada live in poverty; and WHEREAS, Access to a reliable supply of clean diapers is a necessity for the health and welfare of infants and toddlers, their families, and child and health care providers; 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 CalFresh benefits or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) vouchers, therefore providing a sufficient supply of diapers can cause economic hardship to needy families; and WHEREAS, A supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement for infant and toddlers to participate in childcare programs; and WHEREAS, When infants and toddlers cannot participate in childcare programs, it makes it very difficult for their parents and guardians to participate in the workforce, thereby causing economic harm to many families; and WHEREAS, California is proud to be home to various community organizations that recognize the importance of diapers in helping to provide economic stability for families and distribute diapers to poor families through various channels; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims the week of September 8, 2014, to September 14, 2014, inclusive, as Diaper Need Awareness Week and encourages the citizens of California to donate generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and those organizations that distribute diapers to families in need to help alleviate diaper need in California; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.