Equity for feminine care

 

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that menstrual hygiene products are available for free in all public restrooms

throughout the state. This ensures that everyone who has periods has access to clean essential hygiene, reducing health

risks like infections or worse. This will promote equality, support public health and guarantee that no individual is

denied access to essential hygiene products due to cost or lack of availability.

 

Menstrual hygiene is a basic human need, not a luxury. Many individuals who menstruate struggle to afford or access pads

and tampons, a problem known as “period poverty.” According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, nearly two-thirds of

low-income women in the United States have been unable to afford menstrual products at least once in the past year.

When people cannot access these products, they may use unsafe alternatives or miss school and work, leading to health

risks, feeling uncomfortable and inequality. Providing free menstrual products in all public restrooms; just like soap,

toilet paper and paper towels treats menstruation as a normal biological function and ensures fairness and dignity for

all citizens.

No one should have to choose between buying food and buying pads. By passing this bill, the state will promote public

health, gender equity, and human dignity.

 

Menstrual Hygiene Products: Pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and panty liners.

Public Restrooms: Any restroom located in schools, government buildings, libraries, transportation centers, parks, and

other publicly accessible facilities.

Dispensers: Machines or containers that distribute menstrual hygiene products at no cost.

Menstrual Equity Fund: A state-managed fund created to support the purchase and distribution of menstrual hygiene

products.

 

The Menstrual Equity Fund will be created and managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Funding will come from:

-An annual appropriation from the state’s health and sanitation budget.

-Grants and private donations from nonprofit organizations or corporations.

-A small reallocation (0.05%) from existing hygiene and maintenance funds.

Local governments and public facilities may apply for refunding for installation and restocking costs through this fund.

 

The Department of Health and Human Services will oversee compliance with this law.

Facilities failing to provide menstrual products within 12 months of the effective date will receive a written warning.

Continued noncompliance after 6 additional months will result in a $500 fine per month, increases $1,000 if multiple

complaints and reports

All fines collected will go directly into the Menstrual Equity Fund to continue supporting statewide access.

They would be publicly reported and posted on a website until they meet the requirements of this law

 

This act shall take effect on January 1st, 2027