Feminine hygiene products and diapers (both infant and adult incontinence) are considered luxury items, not necessities, and are not exempted from sales tax. The current tax in Missouri on such products is 4.2%, however, HB 406, HB 699, HB 793, and HB 899 propose to bring the tax down to 1.2%.
Low-income individuals and families struggle to afford feminine hygiene products and diapers. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance programs (SNAP) and SNAP for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) do not allow the purchase feminine hygiene products or diapers.
A voucher program that assists those living in poverty to purchase feminine hygiene products and diapers, that functions similarly or as an additive service to SNAP or WIC, would be the first of its kind in the United States.
