I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3134 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 6, 2011 Ms. DeLauro (for herself, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Murphy of Connecticut, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Lee of California, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, and Ms. Moore) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to include providing diapers and diapering supplies among the activities for which funds may be employed to improve the quality of and access to child care.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Diaper Investment and Aid to Promote Economic Recovery or the DIAPER Act.

2.

Findings

Congress finds, pursuant to its authority under article I and the fourteenth amendment of the Constitution, that— (1)access to a reliable supply of clean diapers is a medical necessity for the health and welfare of infant and toddlers, their families, and child and health care providers, (2)a supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement for infants and toddlers to participate in early childhood educational programs, (3)providing a sufficient supply of diapers can cause economic hardship to needy families, (4)absent access to child care, parents and guardians of infants and toddlers cannot participate in the workforce, thereby causing economic harm to many families, (5)providing diapering systems to needy infants and toddlers through child care programs furthers the national goals of improved health and sanitation for families and for staff in early childhood education and child care programs, and (6)making available clean diapers to needy infants and toddlers who would otherwise be prevented from participating in child care programs furthers the national goal of safe and quality child care, and therefore enables better implementation of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990.

3.

Provision of diapers as child care assistance

The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9801 et seq.) is amended— (1)in section 658E(c)(3)(C) by adding at the end the following: Provision of diapers for use by eligible children within the State who receive or are offered child care services for which financial assistance is provided under this Act is a direct service and shall not be included in administrative costs., (2)in section 658G is amended by adding at the end the following: These activities include the provision of diapers and diapering supplies to enrolled child care providers sufficient for the population of children under the age of three whose parent receives or is offered financial assistance under this Act., and (3)in section 658P by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3)

Diaper

The term diaper means an absorbent garment worn by infants and toddlers who are not toilet-trained or individuals who are incapable of controlling their bladder or bowel movements. Diaper refers to a disposable diaper or, where the administering agency elects to make available, a washable cloth diaper and the requisite diaper laundering and delivery services necessary to provide sufficient clean diapers for the eligible population. Diapering supplies means items, including diapers, diaper wipes, and diaper cream, necessary for safe diapering. .