Make menstrual products free and readily accessible in public buildings.

 

To provide women and those who require menstrual products, free of stress and financial burden.

 

1 in 9 of women and girls between the ages of 12 and 44 live below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) in Minnesota.

Allegedly under Title I of our Minnesota Constitution, which was enacted on January 1, 2024, all Minnesota schools were

ordered to stock period products at no cost to all students grades 4 through 12. This was later followed by a sister

bill applied to universities. However, Period Poverty still exists. Schools were given $2 per student to finance their

stock, but from first-hand experience, they have failed to do so. So, while menstrual products should in theory be

readily available for free to those in grade school, they aren’t. This is an issue that extends simply beyond school,

but into a broader arena, Minnesota. The lack of these products leads to not just absences in schools, but missed days

of work, tardy arrivals, and even more, thus decreasing the productivity of a community. This is a motivator of ISSA’s

campaign to make menstrual products as available as “toilet paper, paper towels, and soap.” If these products were

readily accessible and free, all of these issues would be resolved.

 

Public Buildings - Buildings that are owned or operated by the government.

Menstrual Products - pads, tampons, or other similar products used in connection with the menstrual cycle.

Federal Poverty Level - In Minnesota this ranges from a one-person household income of $15,650 to a four-person

household income of $32,150.

ISSA - The world’s leading trade association for the cleaning, hygiene and facility management industry.

Absences - Missing events completely.

HF44 bill - Required school districts to provide access to menstrual products for students, capital aid was increased to

fund school purchases of them.

Period Poverty - The lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, education, sanitation, and waste management.

 

The previous bill HF44 passed on January 1, 2024 required Minnesota district and charter schools to provide free period

products to students grades 4-12. Approximately $2 per student/year was given to schools to help pay. This money is not

being used correctly by many schools. This money will be allocated correctly to schools in order to fund their supply.

As for other public buildings, 0.1% of the money collected through taxes that contributes to maintenance of the public

buildings will be reallocated towards funding free menstrual products in their facilities.

 

There will be an anonymous reporting service that citizens can use, through the government that the Minnesota Department

of Health will review. They will then survey reported places and if the Minnesota Department of Health finds that the

report holds true, the owner will receive an email in which they can respond and explain why they didn’t have the

products (ex. Ran out), the second offense would be a warning, and if they’re reported again they will be fined $1,000.

 

August 1, 2026