Senate backs bill to require free menstrual products in educational restrooms

The Senate on March 9 approved legislation to require free menstrual products in the restrooms of educational institutions, with proponents framing the measure as a response to "period poverty." Senator Claire, recorded in the affirmative, said the bill continues a movement begun nearly a decade ago to ensure access to essential products and cited survey findings: "48 percent of students said they have struggled to access menstrual products due to cost or other barriers," and "19 percent of female college students reported that they felt forced to decide between buying period products and paying for other expenses such as food."

Claire told the chamber the legislation would provide essential health options to students and described related outreach events in her office this month, including product-collection drives and school outreach. The secretary read the bill’s final section and the clerk announced the result; the record shows the measure was passed.

The bill appeared as a calendar item with a referenced senate print number during the reading. Floor remarks emphasized student health and equity as the primary goals; no recorded amendments or changes were announced during the floor action. The Senate recorded the passage and proceeded to other calendar matters.

The bill will take effect according to the schedule stated in its last section as read into the record.