Big news in menstruation legislation for the capital of the nation!
On January 4, the “Expanding Student Access to Period Products Act of 2021” was unanimously passed by the D.C. Council.
This legislation will require:
- 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.
