Updated 7/29/2025
Washington, D.C. is making waves in the menstrual movement.
Over the past few years, the District has become a national leader in the fight for menstrual equity—passing not one, but two pieces of landmark legislation aimed at ensuring free, dignified access to period products for students and the broader community.
Let’s take a closer look at how D.C. is championing change—from classrooms to public restrooms.
Step 1: Bringing Period Products to Schools
On January 4, the D.C. Council unanimously passed the Expanding Student Access to Period Products Act of 2021. This law tackles a fundamental equity issue: when students don’t have access to the period products they need, it disrupts their ability to focus, participate and thrive in school.
Here’s what the law requires:
- Free period products in all District public, charter, private, and post-secondary schools
- The development and implementation of menstrual health education for students
- Free period products in all women’s and gender-neutral bathrooms at the University of the District of Columbia and private post-secondary institutions
The act was introduced by Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who became the youngest member elected to the Council of the District of Columbia and the first woman to represent Ward 2 after being sworn in during June 2020.
Councilmember Pinto played an integral role in securing the legislation funding and has committed herself to addressing period equity by pushing for the act to be implemented this year.
“One day, I hope we can overcome the stigma surrounding menstruation and period products will be treated the same as toilet paper – a product everyone agrees is a basic necessity,” said Councilmember Pinto.
This legislation was co-introduced by all six of Councilmember Pinto’s female counterparts on the Council, including Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman, Christina Henderson, Brianne Nadeau, Mary Cheh and Janeese Lewis George.
Step 2: Expanding Access to Public Bathrooms
Building on that momentum, the D.C. Council passed another major milestone: the Period Equity Righting an Injustice of District Residents (PERIOD) Act of 2022—officially known as D.C. Law 24-250.
This legislation extends free period product access beyond schools to all public bathrooms managed by the District. Here’s what it mandates:
- Free organic tampons and pads in all women’s and gender-neutral bathrooms on properties owned or operated by the District, including those leased to private entities and those under human care agreements
- If no gender-neutral bathroom exists, at least one men’s bathroom must include period products, and signage must direct users to their location
- Dispensers must be stocked and maintained regularly
- All period products must be certified organic cotton and free of synthetic fibers, plastics (including plastic applicators), chlorine, and fragrances
- Products must be made available free of charge
Women, transgender men, and nonbinary people who menstruate need access to free menstrual products – a health necessity each month. We have seen the associated costs and burdens of accessing these products fall disproportionately on people of color and lower income families. By requiring that period products be available in government buildings, shelters, and congregate care facilities, the District can help to ensure the health and dignity of our residents. My hope is that the provision of basic health products will inspire other jurisdictions and the private sector to do the same.
Councilmember Pinto
The act becomes enforceable once its fiscal impact is included in an approved city budget—a key step toward implementation and accountability.
Why These Laws Matter
D.C.’s approach is comprehensive and forward-thinking. By tackling both school-based access and public infrastructure, the District is recognizing period care as a basic human need.
At Aunt Flow, we believe that no one should be forced to choose between a pad and their next meal, or miss out on school, work or daily life because they didn’t have access to period products. These two laws represent exactly the kind of change we work toward every day—with free-vend dispensers and organic cotton products designed for schools, government agencies and beyond.
Want to bring free period products to your school or business?
➡️ Learn how Aunt Flow partners with organizations to make access easy, sustainable and stigma-free: goauntflow.com
