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Bill

HD 3080

An Act expanding access to hygiene products

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 4 co-sponsors

Creates a task force to study whether hygiene products can be added to WIC, assess insecurity, solicit public input, and report feasibility by Jan 1, 2027.

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Bill Summary · HD 3080

Summary: An Act expanding access to hygiene products (HD 3080)

Overview

This proposed Massachusetts bill would explicitly recognize hygiene insecurity and hygiene products as a policy concern and create a formal mechanism to study whether hygiene products should be included in the WIC program. The bill defines terms, establishes a multidisciplinary task force, and requires a formal report with recommendations and public input, laying groundwork for potential future program changes.

Main purpose and intent

  • Acknowledge that some individuals and families cannot afford basic hygiene products and that access to these products is an important public health and well-being issue.
  • Explore the feasibility of adding hygiene products to the WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children) as an allowable purchase, through a structured study and stakeholder engagement.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions:
    • Hygiene insecurity: inability to afford the most basic hygiene products.
    • Hygiene product: items such as deodorant, diapers, feminine products, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste (and other related products as applicable).
  • Task force creation:
    • In partnership with the Department of Transitional Assistance, to study feasibility of including hygiene products under WIC.
    • Composition includes: high-level officials (e.g., undersecretary of human services; secretary of Administration and Finance; commissioners), the WIC program director, and representatives from several advocacy groups.
    • Specific groups represented by one appointed member each: Hope And Comfort Inc.; Community Action Pioneer Valley, Inc.; Neighbors In Need, Inc.; Mass National Organization For Women Foundation, Inc.
    • At least three WIC participants from geographically diverse regions of the Commonwealth must serve on the task force.
  • Reporting and analysis:
    • The task force must analyze hygiene insecurity in the Commonwealth, survey existing public programs addressing hygiene insecurity, and provide recommendations to address the issue.
    • The report must also assess the feasibility of making hygiene product purchases allowable under WIC.
    • Public comment is invited to inform the report.

Who would be affected

  • WIC participants and low-income residents potentially affected by hygiene insecurity.
  • State agencies involved in health and human services, welfare programs, and budgeting.
  • Nonprofit organizations that provide hygiene assistance or advocate for low-income families.
  • Potential future beneficiaries of a decision to include hygiene products under WIC, depending on the task force findings.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Task Force formation: Initiated by the Department of Public Health (in partnership with the Department of Transitional Assistance) under the bill’s framework.
  • Report deadline: No later than January 1, 2027, to the clerks of the Senate and House, and to relevant committees (Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities; Joint Committee on Public Health; and Ways and Means in both chambers).
  • Public input: The task force must accept public comment to inform its report.
  • Status/Process: The bill is a proposed measure in the 194th General Court (2025-2026 session). It establishes study and reporting requirements rather than immediate program expansion.

Additional notes

  • The bill does not mandate immediate changes to WIC or funding; it directs a structured study to assess feasibility and outline potential next steps.
  • If the task force finds WIC inclusion feasible, it would inform future legislative or administrative actions to implement such a change.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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