All over the country, there is ongoing legislation toward menstrual equity and greater accessibility. That being said, it’s super tricky to try and track ALL of those bills. But don’t worry! We’ve got your back.
Thanks to all the amazing people advocating for change, there have been a BUNCH of updates in the last month. Keep reading below to stay in the loop on the change being made in states across the board, along with the legislation on the horizon.
This Month’s Roundup
- Iowa repealed the tampon tax!
- The Los Angeles City Council approved a pilot program that will provide free period products in public libraries.
- Alabama’s House Bill 50 passed, requiring K-12 schools to provide period products in restrooms at no cost to students.
- The Hawaii SB 2821 passed the final reading in the House! The bill requires the Department of Education to provide period products free of charge to ALL students on ALL public school and public charter school campuses.
- Freely accessible menstrual products will be made available to menstruators in middle and high schools across the state of Virginia!
- In Dallas, TX, funding for a citywide pilot program to provide free period products in all Dallas libraries and recreation centers has been approved by the Dallas City Council.
- Maryland’s HB588 requires local health departments and community action agencies to make hygiene products available in a certain amount.
In Progress…
- Connecticut: Advocates in Connecticut have been pushing for legislation that will help reduce period poverty for low-income menstruators. This specific bill will require free period products to be made available in schools, shelters and prisons.
- Illinois: Illinois Highway Code requires the Department of Transportation to make period products available at no cost in the bathrooms of each interstate highway rest area.
- Louisiana: Bill advances to provide free, easy access to period products in schools.
- Minnesota: Legislation requiring access to period products in schools has just passed the second reading in the House Committee. The bill would provide $2 million in funding.
- New Jersey: A3726 requires school districts to provide instruction on menstrual health and hygiene as part of the implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. This bill mandates that schools include age-appropriate instruction for students in grades 4-12. Under this bill, instruction on menstrual health and hygiene would include the proper use of period products, the symptoms and effects of menstrual disorders, the effects of period poverty, and when and how to seek medical advice.
- North Carolina: H1087 states that the Department of Public Instruction will establish a grant program to enable public school units to provide students with free period products. H1087 also proposes that this bill will support students’ continued attendance, provide products to students who otherwise cannot afford them, and make funds available to public schools for purchasing these products.
