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Committee votes to keep school menstrual‑product requirement in place, labels it an unfunded mandate
Summary
The committee moved to 'indefinitely postpone' House Bill 415, which would remove an existing requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Lawmakers described the requirement as an unfunded mandate in place since 2019 and unanimously stopped the bill from advancing, 17-0.
CONCORD — The House Education Committee voted to indefinitely postpone House Bill 415, which would have removed an existing statutory requirement that schools provide menstrual products.
Representative Litchfield made the motion to ITL (indefinitely postpone), arguing that although the committee generally opposes unfunded mandates, the requirement has been on the books since 2019 and “it’s in place now. It’s working well, and we have not heard any complaints out of any of the districts.”
Representative Freeman, who seconded the motion, agreed and said, “If the districts are cranking along with it, they don't have a problem with an unfunded mandate. At this point, I think we have bigger fish to fry.”
Several members voiced opposition to removing the requirement. Representative Selig said she did not view menstrual products as an unfunded luxury but as essential items “as essential as toilet paper.” Representative Woodcock said the requirement “impacts the most needy women in our state” and emphasized the risk of students missing school if products were not available.
Litchfield also reminded members that menstrual products are not covered by WIC or EBT and urged donations to food pantries.
Vote: Motion to ITL carried 17 yays, 0 nays.
Why it matters: The statute requiring schools to provide menstrual products has been in force since 2019; the committee concluded the requirement is functioning in districts and decided not to remove it.
What’s next: With the committee’s vote to ITL, House Bill 415 will not advance from this committee.
