Reps. McBride, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Essential Hygiene Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-At Large) and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the TANF Hygiene Access Act, bipartisan legislation to establish a five-year demonstration pilot program aimed at helping low-income families access essential hygiene materials such as soap, diapers, feminine hygiene products, and other household necessities.

"Access to hygiene products is a basic need and critical to building an economy that works for all families," said Rep. McBride. "Too many families are being denied the dignity that comes with meeting their basic needs. Many are forced to make impossible choices between paying for groceries, covering rent, or purchasing essentials like diapers, soap, or period products.

"This legislation will help test smart, accountable solutions that get these necessities into the hands of families who need them while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively," McBride continued.

The legislation directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Family Assistance, to test innovative, outcomes-driven approaches for expanding access to hygiene products while maintaining strong accountability and cost-effectiveness standards. Under the bill, HHS would administer a competitive grant program open to states, tribes, and tribal organizations.

"The TANF Hygiene Access Act is designed to test smart, outcome-driven solutions that expand access to essential hygiene materials while maintaining strong accountability for taxpayer dollars," said Congressman Lawler. "By focusing on measurable results and cost-effective partnerships, we can identify approaches that work and scale them responsibly."

"Hygiene is not a luxury. Hygiene access is not only about dignity; it is about prevention and stability," said Carol Freitas, Founder and Executive Director, Personal Care Foundation. "When people have consistent access to basic hygiene, they are better able to stay healthy, keep children in school, seek and keep employment, and reduce reliance on emergency care. This is a practical investment that supports self-sufficiency while using public resources more efficiently."

The TANF Hygiene Access Act defines eligible hygiene materials broadly, including items such as soap, toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes, shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap, and other essential products as determined by HHS.

"I'm grateful to partner with Rep. Lawler on this bill to create effective, bipartisan solutions that get essentials like diapers and hygiene supplies into the hands of families who need them," McBride noted. "When government meets people's basic needs, we help families live with dignity, remain secure, stay healthy and care for their families."

Key provisions of the legislation include:

• Creating a competitive grant program for states, tribes, and tribal organizations

• Broadly defining eligible hygiene materials, including soap, toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes, shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap, and related essentials

• Requiring applicants to demonstrate strong program design, partnerships with basic needs banks, readiness to evaluate outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and past TANF performance

• Mandating reporting on geographic reach, families served, materials distributed, and frequency of distributions

• Directing HHS to report to Congress on the feasibility of nationwide expansion

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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