Sen. Lauren Book seeks to permanently eliminate diaper sales tax

by | Jan 4, 2023

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  • Sen. Lauren Book filed a bill on Tuesday to exempt diapers and incontinence products from sales tax statewide 
  • Book has filed the proposal annually since 2017 but has yet to gain momentum in getting it passed
  • Last year, Book worked to convince the legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis to endorse a one-year diaper tax exemption
  • After gaining early support from both parties, Book will work to maintain that momentum through the 2023 Legislative Session in order to pass the law after six years of trying

Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book filed a piece of legislation aiming to permanently abolish sales tax on diaper and incontinence product purchases. Book has filed the proposal annually since 2017 but has yet to gain momentum in getting it passed.

If passed, the measure would make Florida the twenty-second state to remove sales tax charges for diapers, according to Book.

“After years of fighting, we were successful in achieving one of my longstanding priorities: the elimination of sales tax on diapers for working families across the state,” said Book. “While we are truly helping families with young children across the state, the powers that be limited us last Session in only providing this relief for infant diapers, for one year.

Last year, Book worked to convince the legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis to endorse a one-year diaper tax exemption. After gaining early support from both parties, Book will work to maintain that momentum through the 2023 Legislative Session in order to pass the law after six years of trying.

The one-year measure went into effect in July and will carry through June 2023, serving as part of the $1.2 billion economic alleviation package signed into law in May.

According to Book, an average monthly supply of diapers costs approximately $80. Compounded by statistical data showing that 26 percent of Florida children under the age of 3 live in families earning between 100-200 percent less than the federal poverty level, the legislation seeks to provide relief for Floridians carrying a large financial burden.

“Working families shouldn’t be taxed on essential health care items! Eliminating Florida’s diaper tax for 1 year has been one of my proudest accomplishments in the Senate — now, the fight continues because Florida families deserve permanent relief!” Said Book.

A diaper tax elimination proposal has seen several iterations in recent years, not including those filed yearly by Book. In 2017, Sen. Janet Cruz filed House Bill 163 which sought a sales-tax exemption on diapers, disposable baby wipes, incontinence pads or undergarments, pads, and liners.

Further, Rep. Anna Eskamani, who assisted Book in establishing the one-year exemption, filed a bill nearly identical to that of Book three weeks ago, similarly seeking the removal of sales tax on diapers and other hygiene products.

Relatedly, Florida has already eliminated sales tax for baby food and infant formula, and other essential items for babies, as well as tampons and feminine hygiene products. 

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