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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2308 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 120
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Sal N. DiDomenico
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
resolve:
Resolve providing for an investigation by a special commission relative to the feasibility of a
diaper allowance.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Sal N. DiDomenicoMiddlesex and Suffolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2308 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 120
By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 120) of Sal N.
DiDomenico that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission
(including members of the General Court) relative to the feasibility of a diaper allowance.
Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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Resolve providing for an investigation by a special commission relative to the feasibility of a
diaper allowance.
1 Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established to study the feasibility and
2costs associated with establishing and distributing an annual allowance to be used to purchase
3diapers for recipients of the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
4program with diaper-wearing children. The commission shall study and assess the method used
5to deliver the current clothing allowance as a model for a diaper allowance and the costs
6involved in delivering a diaper allowance by establishing a diaper need related increase in the
7Need and Payment Standards specified in 106 CMR 704.410 and 106 CMR 704.420.
8 Resolved, that the commission shall make recommendations to address the feasibility of
9providing such a benefit and include in their study: (i) the number of children under the age of
10two years six months who live in households receiving TAFDC, as a basis for understanding the
11prioritized population, (ii) the average number of daily diapers used by diaper-wearing children,
12as determined by the national diaper bank network, (iii) the cost burden to families to purchase
13diapers, (iv) the proposed amount of diapers that would be needed to meet the need per child, (v) 2 of 2
14projected costs, including administrative, technical and technological costs, that may be needed
15to implement such an allowance, and (vi) recommendations for legislation, regulation or budget
16appropriations as needed.
17 Resolved, the special commission shall consist of: 1 person who shall be the
18commissioner of the department of transitional assistance or a designee, who shall serve as chair;
191 of whom shall be the commissioner of the department of public health or a designee, 1 of
20whom shall be the deputy commissioner for policy and programs of the department of
21transitional assistance, 1 of whom shall be the director of the WIC program, 1 of whom shall be a
22member of the Massachusetts chapter of the American academy of pediatrics, 1 of whom shall be
23a representative of the national diaper bank network, 1 of whom shall be the executive director of
24the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, 1 of whom shall be the executive director
25of the Massachusetts law reform institute, 1 of whom shall be the commissioner or designee of
26the department of early education and care, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the
27Massachusetts child psychiatry access project for moms, and 2 of whom shall be the co-chairs of
28the joint committee on children, families, and persons with disabilities.
29 Within twelve months of enactment, the department shall report to the clerks of the house
30of representatives and senate, the chairs of the joint committees on children, families and persons
31with disabilities; and the chairs of the joint committee on public health.