MD Bill Makes Free Menstrual Hygiene Products Available In Schools

“When we make students go to the nurse to get menstrual hygiene products, potentially waiting in line behind students with actual medical needs, we cause them to miss more class time.”

January 30, 2020 at 1:39 pm
NEWS

Contributed by Rebecca Johnson

Maryland lawmakers have created a bill so free menstrual products are available in schools.

“…requiring a public school to install menstrual hygiene product dispensers in at least two restrooms on or before October 1, 2020, and in all restrooms on or before August 1, 2024; and defining ‘menstrual hygiene products’ as size-appropriate tampons or sanitary napkins for use in connection with the menstrual cycle,” reads the synopsis.


Delegate Kirill Reznik sponsored the bill and said the providing the products in disensers would alleviate the stigma around menstruation.

“When we make students go to the nurse to get menstrual hygiene products, potentially waiting in line behind students with actual medical needs, we cause them to miss more class time,” he wrote to NBC Washington. 

He took to Twitter to congradulate Virginia’s Senate for recently passing a similar bill.

“Way to go #Virginia Senate. Hopefully, Maryland is not far behind. #periodequity“

According to the State of the Period study, more than 84 percent of students in the United States have missed class time or know someone who has because they did not have access to menstrual products.

New York, California, and Illinois have made similar initiatives to provide mentrual products to students.