TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A proposed bill calling for sales tax to be eliminated on diapers and incontinence products could lead to Floridians paying less for those products.
Senate Bill 60 -- introduced by Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, and co-sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, and Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando -- was filed in November and on Monday, unanimously passed the Commerce and Tourism Committee.
If it passes when the legislative session begins March 5, it would go into effect in January 2020. It would provide a sales tax break when buying diapers, incontinence undergarments, incontinence pads and incontinence liners.
The fiscal impact of the bill has not yet been determined, but it's expected to have a positive impact on consumers.
[READ: Full text of Senate Bill 60]
"Individuals will see a reduction in the cost of purchasing diapers and incontinence products. Daycare providers, diaper service providers, hospitals, and other businesses will also see a reduction in the cost of diapers and incontinence products," a bill analysis and fiscal impact statement read.
Stewart said if the bill passes, it will benefit countless people.
"We have a big population and it goes from the very young to the elder, so this would be helpful to those who probably have the least amount of money to put out when they are having children or entering an age they have to have help," Stewart said.
Donald Williams, who has a 1-month-old child and a 2-year-old child, said a break on sales tax would be a tremendous help.
"Please (pass the bill) because we can't afford this, it's hard. It's hard to do anything with kids right now," Williams said.
The National Diaper Bank Network reports that Floridians pay a 6 percent sales tax on diapers, which amounts to about $56 paid during a year of buying baby diapers.
As of July, 37 states charge a sales tax for diapers, although there is other legislation in the works, according to the Network.
The interactive below was provided by the National Diaper Bank Network