Sacramento – Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) announced that her legislation to exempt breast pumps from the state’s sales tax passed out of its final policy committee, the Senate Committee on Government and Finance, with unanimous bipartisan support.
Breast pumps are essential tools that allow mothers to collect and store breast milk for future use. However, these pumps and related supplies often come with a hefty price tag, which poses a significant burden on low-income Californians. Unlike formula, which is already tax-exempt, breast pumps are subject to sales tax.
“It’s time to cut this tax on new parents,” said Dr. Bains. “Breastfeeding should be tax free just like formula feeding.”
Support for AB 1203 spans across party lines, as Senator Dahle (R-Bieber) expressed his endorsement stating, “[Parents] don’t have to buy formula when they’re able to pump, and that actually helps low-income people save more resources to raise their children… I look forward to seeing this get signed into law.”
Senator Blakespear (D-Encinitas) also expressed her support for the legislation during the hearing, “When we realize what we’re subsidizing and not subsidizing, it really makes it clear that we need to do better… This is a way to align our values and the science.”
AB 1203 is joint authored by the Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes and is coauthored by Assemblymembers Blanca Rubio, Akilah Weber, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and Senator Angelique Ashby. AB 1203 is also supported by a broad medical coalition including the California Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the California Breastfeeding Coalition, and the California Nurses Association.
Dr. Jasmeet Bains represents the 35th Assembly District in Kern County which includes the cities of Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Arvin, Shafter, and McFarland.
Other bills by Bains: