This bill would change the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to let postpartum people stay enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) longer. It replaces the current "six months" postpartum eligibility period with "24 months." It also changes the WIC breastfeeding coverage period from "1 year" to "24 months." The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to send Congress a report within 2 years that evaluates effects on maternal and infant health outcomes (including racial and ethnic disparities), breastfeeding rates, family experiences with WIC, and other relevant information.
If you are a new mother or a caregiver using WIC, this bill would allow continued WIC eligibility up to 24 months after birth instead of six months. It would also extend WIC breastfeeding support coverage to 24 months. The required federal report could result in more information about how these changes affect health and experience for families.
No publicly available information on costs, appropriations, or a Congressional Budget Office score is included in the bill text or metadata.
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata states proponents' arguments or detailed stated reasons beyond the changes written into the bill.
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata states opponents' arguments or concerns.