2024 was a year FULL of menstrual equity efforts, with advocates and legislature making waves across the country!
Recent efforts have focused on legislation for menstrual equity to ensure everyone has access to necessary products. These period policy updates aim to increase access to period products and fight period poverty. 🩸
1. Arizona SB1720
For 2023-2024, Arizona allocated $2 million in the Department of Education budget for period products under Senate Bill 1720, known as the Feminine Hygiene Products Grant or Dot Project. While schools aren’t required to provide free period products, this funding helps K-12 public and charter schools offer them.
2. Colorado HB24-1164
In June, Colorado Governor Polis officially signed HB24-1164, also known as “Free Menstrual Products To Students,” into law!
HB24-1164 will provide teens with essential period products in Colorado schools. With the bill’s passage, Colorado schools can expect higher attendance rates and enhanced educational opportunities for all students.
3. Nebraska LB1284
For the 2025-2026 school year, a pilot program will provide $250K to make period products available to school districts across Nebraska. Each school district that receives free period products as part of the pilot program must ensure that they are available in school bathrooms.
Legislative Bill 1284 was first introduced on January 16, 2024, by State Senator Lynne Walz. Governor Jim Pillen officially approved the bill on April 16.
4. New Jersey S2330/A2027
The final Fiscal Year 2025 budget details were released, including a $3.5 million appropriation for the Menstrual Products School Reimbursement Program.
In addition to the Menstrual Products School Reimbursement Program, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed A2027 on June 28 to “establish a one-year State Work First New Jersey Menstrual Hygiene Benefit Pilot Program and State Work First New Jersey Diaper Benefit Pilot Program.”
The bill also appropriates $2.5 million to the Department of Human Services. This is a new one-year pilot program and is outlined in Bill S2330/A2027.
5. Pennsylvania SB700
The Fiscal Year 2024-2025 state budget allocates $3,000,000 to the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Education, to award grants enabling school entities to provide free period products to students.
Pennsylvania lawmakers officially signed off on the grant program on July 16.
6. South Carolina HB3563
South Carolina passed a bill to exempt period products from taxation! House Bill 3563 officially went into effect on May 13.
