Bill > H2390

This bill establishes a task force to study the feasibility of including hygiene products in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides nutritional support to low-income families. The task force will be composed of representatives from various state departments, including human services, administration and finance, and transitional assistance, as well as members from nonprofit organizations like Hope And Comfort Inc. and Community Action Pioneer Valley, along with at least three WIC program participants from different regions of Massachusetts. The task force is charged with investigating "hygiene insecurity," defined as a person or family's inability to afford basic hygiene products such as deodorant, diapers, feminine products, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. By January 1, 2027, the task force must submit a comprehensive report to legislative committees and leadership, which will include an analysis of hygiene insecurity in the commonwealth, a survey of existing public programs addressing the issue, recommendations for addressing hygiene insecurity, and an assessment of whether hygiene products could be incorporated into the WIC program. The task force will also solicit and consider public input while preparing its report.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2390