COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Senate has approved Senate Bill 39, a measure introduced by Republican Senator Tim Schaffer, to provide sales tax exemptions for certain baby products. The bill seeks to alleviate financial burdens on families by excluding essential items used for babies and small children from the sales tax.
Under the proposed legislation, the following baby products would be exempted from the sales tax: children’s diapers, car and booster seats, baby carriers, strollers, cribs (including portable cribs), and baby monitors, which include audio or video systems that enable individuals to monitor infants in a different room of the same building.
If the bill becomes law, the tax exemptions would take effect within the first month after its 90-day effective date. This move aims to provide immediate relief to families by reducing the financial strain associated with purchasing these essential items.
It is worth noting that Ohio already grants exemptions for diaper sales during the first weekend of August each year, as part of the state’s “back-to-school sales tax holiday.” Additionally, adult diapers are exempted from sales tax if they are sold to Medicaid recipients based on a valid prescription.
The bill will now proceed to the Ohio House of Representatives for further consideration and potential amendments before it can be signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine.
Supporters of the legislation argue that exempting these baby products from sales tax will help alleviate the financial burden on families, particularly those with young children who heavily rely on these essential items. They believe that such measures can contribute to improving affordability and accessibility to crucial baby care necessities.
However, critics express concerns about potential revenue losses for the state resulting from the tax exemptions. They argue that the bill might hinder the generation of funds needed for various public programs and initiatives.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, its impact on families, retailers, and the state’s budget will continue to be debated. The proposed exemptions aim to provide relief to families and make essential baby products more accessible, but the broader implications will be subject to further deliberation by lawmakers.