On Friday, May 9, just ahead of Mother’s Day, Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 152 into law, exempting essential items such as diapers, baby formula, maternity clothing, and feminine hygiene products from state sales tax.
Sponsored by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, the new law will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will remain in place until August 31, 2028.
Ivey expressed strong support for mothers, stating, “Alabama is proudly the most pro-life state in America, and we remain committed to doing all we can to support our moms. As we head into Mother’s Day weekend, I am excited to sign HB152 for all of our Alabama moms.”
The law applies to the state’s 4 percent sales tax on essential products such as baby formula, diapers, breast pumps, maternity clothing, and menstrual hygiene products. However, it does not automatically extend to local sales taxes unless approved by local governments.
Rep. Rafferty called the measure a “big win for Alabama’s working families,” emphasizing its positive impact on households.
The state is expected to lose around $13 million annually in revenue from the Education Trust Fund due to the tax exemption.
The bill also includes an amendment from Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, which expands the exemption to include adult diapers, providing additional relief to seniors.
Advocacy groups, including the ACLU of Alabama, have praised HB152, calling it a step toward economic fairness and improved access to essential health and hygiene products.
This legislation is part of broader efforts by Alabama lawmakers to ease financial pressures on families. Earlier this week, the state Legislature passed a separate bill to reduce the sales tax on food from 3 percent to 2 percent, effective September 1, 2025. This change is expected to cost the state about $121 million annually.
With the passage of HB152, Alabama joins a growing list of states working to reduce the cost of essential goods, underscoring a bipartisan commitment to supporting families and promoting economic well-being.
Related topics:
