Bill > AB798

This bill amends the State Emergency Food Bank Reserve Program to include children's diapers and wipes as an eligible item for distribution during natural or human-made disasters. The bill recognizes that diapers are a significant financial burden for low-income families, often costing around $100 per month per child and representing approximately 4% of a minimum wage worker's income. Currently, existing benefit programs like CalFresh and WIC do not provide diaper assistance, and the CalWORKs program only offers $30 per month for diaper costs. The bill expands the State Department of Social Services' ability to distribute funds to food banks for purchasing and distributing children's diapers and wipes in eligible communities during emergencies. By doing so, the legislation aims to address diaper need, support vulnerable families, and provide essential hygiene supplies during disaster situations. The bill applies to food banks participating in federal food assistance programs and members of Feeding America and the California Association of Food Banks, and allows for reimbursement of procurement and distribution costs. Additionally, the bill provides flexibility in fund distribution and implementation, exempting the agreements from certain standard contracting requirements.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB798