LANSING, Mich. (Aug. 12, 2025) — Today, the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services, chaired by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), held a hearing on Senate Bill 309, legislation championed by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) to expand the successful Rx Kids program statewide. The committee heard testimony on the far-reaching benefits of Rx Kids — from helping families afford basic necessities to improving health, education, and early development — and emphasized the need to expand the program statewide.
“Raising a child should be one of the most joyful times in a family’s life — but instead, the reality for far too many families is that parenthood has become a time of great financial hardship,” said Sen. Santana, sponsor of Senate Bill 309. “As a parent of three children myself, I’ve seen firsthand how the cost of diapers, formula, and child care has continued to rise over the years — which is why I’m working to expand Rx Kids statewide, helping families keep more money in their pockets during pregnancy and their baby’s first year of life. I’ll keep fighting to ensure that every Michigan family has the support they need to raise healthy, happy kids.”
Initially launched in Flint last year, Rx Kids is a first-of-its-kind program that uplifts families in need by providing a no-strings-attached cash allowance to pregnant mothers and new parents, regardless of their income. Thanks to previous budget support from Michigan Senate Democrats, Rx Kids has also expanded to Kalamazoo, Pontiac, Clare County, and the eastern Upper Peninsula. Building on that progress, Senate Bill 309 would enable the innovative program to reach more families across the state, aiming to improve maternal and child health outcomes, fight childhood poverty, and bolster access to nutritious food and safe housing. Michiganders can learn more at RxKids.org.
Senate Bill 309 is currently under consideration in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.