HB 25: Dignity is Essential Act; enact

Currently, federal food assistance programs like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) restrict what recipients can buy with their benefits, and diapers and menstrual products are not covered. This bill, titled the "Dignity is Essential Act," adds a new section to Georgia law addressing that gap. The bill does not change what SNAP or WIC benefits can buy on its own, since that is controlled by federal rules. Instead, it says that if the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service ever creates a waiver letting states allow recipients to use benefits for diapers or menstrual hygiene products such as tampons, sanitary napkins, and feminine wipes, then Georgia's Department of Human Services must apply for that waiver. If the federal government approves Georgia's application, the department must then write the rules needed to put the waiver into effect.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 49-4-23) requiring the Department of Human Services to apply for a federal waiver if one becomes available for diapers or menstrual products.
• Names diapers, tampons, sanitary napkins, and feminine wipes as the specific products covered if the waiver is created and approved.
• Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to implement the waiver once the federal government approves Georgia's application.
• Sets the short title of the bill as the "Dignity is Essential Act."

Georgia recipients of SNAP and WIC benefits, particularly parents of young children and people who menstruate, along with the Department of Human Services, which would be required to apply for and administer the waiver if the federal government offers one.

If the federal government eventually allows states to expand SNAP or WIC purchases to include diapers and menstrual products, this bill would make sure Georgia automatically applies rather than leaving that decision to future action, potentially giving low-income families another way to afford these necessities.

• Section 1 sets the short title as the 'Dignity is Essential Act.'
• Section 2 adds O.C.G.A. § 49-4-23, requiring the Department of Human Services to apply for a USDA waiver covering diapers or menstrual hygiene products for SNAP and WIC recipients, but only if USDA first makes such a waiver available to states.
• Section 2 also requires the department to adopt implementing rules if USDA approves Georgia's waiver application.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2025-01-15House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-01-14House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-13House Hopper (House)

• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)Primary sponsor
• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)

• public assistance
• SNAP benefits
• WIC program
• diapers and menstrual products
• food assistance policy