Testimony of
Christopher Healy
Executive Director
in Support of H.B. 5486
AN ACT CONCERNING A DIAPER PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM
Human Services Committee
Public Hearing
March 10, 2026
The Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference, which represents the interests of the Catholic Bishops of Connecticut, supports An Act Concerning A Diaper Partnership Grant Program to aid young families with a critical need.
The availability of diapers is clearly an issue for families who are struggling financially and often have to make hard choices to provide for the basic needs of young children. The cost of diapers has skyrocketed over the last several years, which makes purchasing them a greater challenge for many families.
H.B. 5486 would create a $1 million grant program, administered through the Department of Social Services, to support diaper distribution through certified community partners and hospitals. This program will help ensure that families with young children have access to an adequate supply of diapers.
We believe this would build on the success of the Diaper Bank of CT model of distribution through its Diaper Connections Program.
Thanks to the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA), Diaper Connections screens for diaper need in hospitals and engages local community partnerships to distribute diapers in settings such as labor and delivery units, maternity and pediatric clinics, emergency departments, and primary care sites.
Aside from the diaper service, Diaper Connections is advancing coordinated, statewide action to improve maternal and child health.
The conference believes this is good public policy and deserves the support of the committee and legislature.