Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 14-20, 2026, as Diaper Need Awareness Week in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1535

BY: M. of A. Rules (Magnarelli)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        September 14-20, 2026, as Diaper Need Awareness Week
        in the State of New York

  WHEREAS, Diaper Need, the  condition  of  not  having  a  sufficient
supply  of  clean diapers to ensure that infants and toddlers are clean,
healthy and dry, can adversely affect the health and welfare of infants,
toddlers and their families; and

  WHEREAS, National surveys report that one in two mothers  experience
diaper  need at some time while their children are less than three years
of age and forty-eight percent of families delay changing  a  diaper  to
extend their supply; 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 food stamps or WIC  vouchers,
and  a sufficient supply of diapers can cost as much as six percent of a
full-time minimum wage worker's salary, therefore obtaining a sufficient
supply of diapers can cause economic hardship to families; and

  WHEREAS, A supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement
for infants and  toddlers  to  participate  in  childcare  programs  and
quality early education programs; and

  WHEREAS,  The  people  of  New York recognize that addressing Diaper
Need can  lead  to  economic  opportunity  for  the  state's  low-income
families  and  can  lead  to  improved  health  for  families  and their
communities; and

  WHEREAS,  New  York  is  proud  to  be  home  to  various  community
organizations  including:  the  Central New York Diaper Bank, the Allied
Foundation of Melville, Good Plus Foundation of Manhattan, Every  Bottom
Covered  of  Buffalo,  the  Junior League of Central Westchester, Little
Essentials of Brooklyn, NYC Mammas Give Back of Manhattan,  Foodlink  of
Rochester,  The  Food  Pantries  of  Albany, HopeLine of the Bronx, Baby
Steps Baby Pantry at Christ Lutheran Church  of  Newburgh,  Her  Village
Inc.  of  the  Bronx, It takes a Village Diaper Bank of Waterville, Moms
for Moms of Brooklyn, The Brooklyn Diaper Project, Expecting  Relief  of
Brooklyn,  Queens  Diaper  Bank,  Twin  Tier  Baby Bank of Painted Post,
Cooperstown Food Pantry, the Diaper Bank of Orange, Ulster and  Sullivan
Inc.,  the  Sharing  Shelf of Port Chester and 914 Cares of White Plains
that recognize the importance of diapers  in  helping  provide  economic
stability  for  families  and  distribute diapers to low-income families
through various channels; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 14 - September
20, 2026, as Diaper Need Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be
it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.