House Bill 2187 would also extend diaper bank tax credit
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State Rep. Patty Lewis, D-Kansas City, filed House Bill 2187 Wednesday to exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from state sales tax.
This bill has received approval in the House as an amendment in previous sessions. Last year, it found a home on an omnibus bill, but it was stripped out in a conference committee before the provision could reach Gov. Mike Parson’s desk. Lewis said she feels confident that this year will be the year it goes into law.
“I’ve worked on this issue for several years now, and it keeps getting closer and closer to the finish line,” Lewis said. “The majority of the House knows this bill will help lighten the load for working families, especially families with young children who usually need the most financial assistance.”
Lewis’ bill does include two new provisions that she believes could help its passage, namely extending and expanding the proven Diaper Bank Tax Credit which operates through the Department of Social Services.
The first provision would renew the diaper bank tax credit set to expire Dec. 2024 after it was passed with a sunset clause in 2018. This tax credit helps diaper banks across the state keep their doors open to serve infants, babies, and incontinent adults. The second would expand the definition of a diaper bank in statute to include the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks in Springfield. Currently, only five diaper banks in the state are eligible to participate in the tax credit program.
“The Diaper Bank Tax Credit has been a resounding success for babies across our state, and we should spend this session ensuring that we can continue serving some of our youngest citizens,” Lewis said.
Susan Belger Angulo, the co-executive director of Kansas City diaper bank Happy Bottoms, told KMBC in November that without that tax credit, they would potentially lose three of their major donors.
For additional information, contact:
Rep. Lewis at 573-751-2437
