SB0228sam001 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Lakesia Collins

Filed: 3/13/2025

10400SB0228sam001 LRB104 07178 KTG 23808 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 228

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 228 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The Department of Human Services Act is amended by adding Section 10-80 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1305/10-80 new)

Sec. 10-80. Diaper allowance pilot program.

(a) Legislative intent. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) According to the National Diaper Bank Network, one out of every 2 families experience diaper insecurity. Despite this growing need, there are limited government programs available for families to access diapers.

(2) A lack of diapers has significant physical, financial, and emotional impacts on young children and their caregivers.

(3) In order for Illinois to be the best state in the nation to raise a family, we must ensure caregivers are able to access this basic need.

(b) As used in this Section:

"Eligible child" means any child who is 6 months old or younger and whose primary residence is the State of Illinois.

"WIC" means the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

(c) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall establish a 3-year pilot program that provides eligible families with children a $40 monthly diaper allowance for each child 6 months old or younger from birth to 7 months of age. To qualify for a diaper allowance, an applicant must meet one of the following conditions at the time of application:

(1) be the parent, foster parent, or legal guardian primarily responsible for an eligible child who receives medical assistance under Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code; or

(2) be the parent, foster parent, or legal guardian primarily responsible for an eligible child and have household income that meets the income eligibility guidelines for the applicable family size under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The applicant or eligible child need not be enrolled in the WIC program to qualify for a diaper allowance under this paragraph so long as the applicant's household income aligns with WIC income eligibility requirements.

(d) All applications for a diaper allowance shall be made to the appropriate local WIC office. WIC staff shall determine eligibility and enroll qualifying families during either an in-person or virtual appointment. Diaper allowance benefits provided under the pilot program shall not be considered income for purposes of determining eligibility or the amount of assistance for any other public aid benefit provided under State law.

(e) The Department shall administer the diaper allowance pilot program through the Division of Family and Community Services. Diaper allowance benefits shall be distributed in the name of the applicant in a form and manner prescribed by the Department. If possible, diaper allowance benefits may be distributed electronically to the applicant by means of an electronic benefits transfer card issued by the Department. The Department may adopt any additional rules necessary to implement the pilot program. At the end of the 3-year pilot period, the Department shall evaluate the pilot program and submit a report to the General Assembly with its findings on the effectiveness of the pilot program. The report shall include a recommendation on whether to renew the pilot program or convert it into a permanent program.

(f) An advisory committee shall advise the Department on the development and implementation of the diaper allowance pilot program. The advisory committee shall include:

(1) the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary's designee;

(2) the Governor, or the Governor's designee;

(3) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(4) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(5) three members appointed by the Governor as follows:

(A) one member of a community-based organization which currently distributes diapers to families;

(B) one member of an organization with experience providing access to diapers to families via a debit card or other electronic issuance method; and

(C) one caregiver who has been directly impacted by a lack of diapers for his or her child.

The advisory committee shall be staffed by the Department of Human Services and shall meet quarterly beginning September 1, 2025. The advisory committee shall dissolve at the end of the 3-year pilot period, unless the pilot program is further extended or converted into a permanent program.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.".