Committee approves grant program to provide free menstrual products in schools; fiscal note reduced

The Senate Education Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 155, which would establish a grant program to help schools provide free menstrual-hygiene products to students who lack access.

A high-school student from Knox County, testifying as a volunteer and organizer, described classmates who missed class or left early when they lacked access to pads and tampons: "No student should have to choose between their health and their education," she told the committee. Lawmakers and advocates said the program addresses an equity and dignity issue for students who rely on school-provided meals and services.

Senate leaders added an amendment that converted the original language into a grant program administered by the Department of Education and revised the fiscal note. Committee materials show the estimated fiscal impact was reduced from about $5,000,000 to roughly $147,000 under the amended grant design; the amended program is permissive for local governments and contingent on state appropriations.

The committee voted 6-3 to move the amended bill to the Senate Finance Committee. Lawmakers who opposed the measure said the responsibility should be local and funded by school districts or community organizations; supporters countered that many districts face budget constraints and that a modest state grant program would help ensure basic access.

Actions: Committee adopted amendment 39-73 (create grant program, revise fiscal estimate) and voted to advance SB 155 to Finance, 6 ayes to 3 noes.

Provenance: Student testimony and fiscal discussion appear in the committee transcript; the roll-call result is recorded in the clerk's roll call.