Diapers and feminine hygiene products are now tax-free in California

For the next two years people in California will not have to pay a sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products as part of a new law that took effect this month.

Under the new law, also known as Senate Bill 92, the sale and use of “diapers for infants, toddlers, and children, and menstrual hygiene products, defined as tampons, specified sanitary napkins, menstrual sponges, and menstrual cups” are now exempt from sales taxes as well as use taxes, the bill’s text states.

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) green-lighted the legislation in June. At the time, The Associated Press reported that the move could subtract up to $55 million from the state’s budget, which totaled more than $200 billion. 

The legislation was highlighted in the his office’s release detailing the finalized 2019-2020 budget last year along with another measure he signed into law expanding paid family leave in the state from six to eight weeks.

Newsom said then that “the driving idea behind this budget – and my first year in office – is to combat the cost crisis and maintain fiscal discipline.” 

“This is a responsible budget that saves for challenging times ahead while investing in the present-day needs of working Californians,” he added. 

Assemblywomen Lorena Gonzalez (D), who reportedly worked on SB 92 along with assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D), in an interview last week praised Newsom for approving the law after years of unsuccessful attempts to get the measure passed. 

“This year, thanks to the support of our governor, we were able to finally repeal the sales tax on children’s diapers — saving the average family $100 a year per child in diaper taxes,” Gonzalez told FOX 5.

“Now we work toward making this tax repeal permanent,” she added.