State Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis, filed legislation Thursday to end the luxury status of diapers, adult diapers, and menstrual health products. Aldridge’s bill would reduce the sales tax on these products from the current rate of 4.225 percent to 1.225 percent, the same rate as food.

Aldridge succeeded in amending Senate Bill 3 to include his language during the House Budget Committee hearing Wednesday with bipartisan support, but a procedural move Thursday morning removed it from the bill. The representative denounced the removal of his language, which would have helped women, new families, and seniors.

"If we're holding a special session to case the tax burden on Missouri families, we should pass focused, narrow legislation that helps them while allowing Missouri to remain fiscally responsible," Aldridge said. "Bringing the tax rates on these essential goods down to the same level as food would put money into the pockets of Missourians who need it."

He filed the bill previously in 2021 and 2022 in the past and plans on filing it in 2023 as well. Aldridge has also garnered support for the legislation from stakeholders in his community. Muriel Smith, the executive director of the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, says her organization supports the legislation. Smith says that 13 other states have exempted diapers from the luxury tax, and she believes Missouri should follow their example.

"Diapers are a basic hygiéne item for babies, "That is a fact," Smith said. "Missouri families are struggling right now to afford them and other hygiene items. We support a bill that will provide families with some relief."

The legislation is House Bill 16