SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5838
As of January 19, 2022
Title: An act relating to providing a monthly diaper subsidy for parents or other caregivers receiving temporary assistance for needy families.
Brief Description: Providing a monthly diaper subsidy for parents or other caregivers receiving temporary assistance for needy families.
Sponsors: Senators Nobles, Rivers, Das, Frockt, Hasegawa, Hunt, Kuderer, Lovelett, Nguyen, Robinson, Salda?a, Stanford, Trudeau and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation: 1/21/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Provides that households receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families with children under the age of three may receive an additional monthly payment by the Department of Social Health Services to assist with child-related necessities, such as diapers, subject to appropriation.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, REENTRY & REHABILITATION
Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7488)
Background:

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) provides cash grants for families in need.  In addition to needy families, persons caring for a child who is not their own biologically or by addition, for example, a relative's child, as a legal guardian, or acting in the place of a parent, are also able to apply for TANF benefits on behalf of that child.  Adults in families receiving TANF participate in the WorkFirst program, which helps participants resolve barriers and prepare for and find jobs.  In fiscal year 2021, the average monthly TANF caseload was 29, 701 representing 69.672 clients, with an average payment of $470.63, and  29.8 percent of the caseloads—13,556—included children five and under. 
Summary of Bill:

The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute):

Subject to appropriation, to assist with child-related necessities such as diapers, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) may make additional monthly payments to recipient applicants with children under the age of three who are otherwise eligible for and receiving TANF.  DSHS is to set the benefit amount in rule in alignment with funds appropriated for this purpose.  DSHS is to make reasonable efforts to ensure timely communication to families of the new subsidy at implementation and as diaper eligibility changes.
Appropriation: The bill contains a null and void clause requiring specific funding be provided in an omnibus appropriation act.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 12, 2022.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on September 1, 2023.