SB 334: Learning with Dignity

GENERAL BILL by Senator Book

Menstrual Hygiene Products in Public Schools; Citing this act as the “Learning with Dignity Act"; defining the term “menstrual hygiene products”; requiring school districts to make menstrual hygiene products available, at no charge, in certain schools within the district and in certain locations within such schools; requiring schools to notify students of the availability and locations of such products; encouraging school districts to partner with specified organizations to meet certain requirements, etc.

Effective Date: 7/1/2023

Filed: 1/24/2023

HB 389: Menstrual Hygiene Products in Public Schools

GENERAL BILL by Representative sKIDMORE

Menstrual Hygiene Products in Public Schools; Defines "menstrual hygiene products"; requires school districts to make such products available, at no charge, in certain schools within district & in certain locations within such schools; requires schools to notify students of availability & locations of such products; encouraging school districts to partner with specified organizations to meet requirements.

Effective Date: 7/1/2023

Filed: 1/23/2023

Quick Facts:

1 in 4 students struggle to afford period products

86% of people who menstruate have started their periods unexpectedly in public

2.4% increase in attendance reported among participating NYC schools following passage of law requiring free period products for students

Reasons to Support Period Products in Schools:

Reduces period poverty

Fosters gender equity and enables all students to attend class

Reduces disruptions and increases time spent in class

Toilet paper, also a basic necessity, is provided to all students

1 in 3 low-income women miss work, school, and other events due to lack of access

Source: Alliance for Period Supplies

Legislation:

Currently, 13 states have passed menstrual hygiene in schools legislation including Delaware, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington. It is important to note that of these states only 3 of the mandates are funded: California, Colorado, and Maryland. 

 Washington DC also just passed the Expanding Student Access to Period Products Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2022, which funds period products in schools for 2022. 

 Just recently, 7 states have legislation in their 2022 sessions aimed to require schools to provide period products:  Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. New York has legislation in its session that requires private schools to provide free period products. More than a dozen state legislatures have recently introduced bills that would require public schools to supply free tampons and other menstrual products in their bathrooms. California, Illinois, New Hampshire and New York have already enacted similar legislation, and a number of school boards and universities have started providing the products for free.