Committee advances pilot to place feminine-hygiene vending machines in schools

Leader Ackberry, sponsor of SB 587, said the bill would require the Department of Health to establish and administer a pilot program to place hygiene vending machines containing feminine products in eligible schools and explained an adopted amendment that would reduce the pilot from six machines to three (one per grand division): “The amendment does not make the bill. Instead, it just changes the number in the pilot program we’re proposing from 6 machines to 3.”

Ackberry described operation of existing nonprofit machines and how the pilot would be managed in schools: products would be dispensed in a controlled way through school nurses or designated administrators who would swipe an access card for students needing items; machines could also allow purchases for others on campus. Senator Hensley asked whether the pilot would use general funds or nonprofit donations; Ackberry said the fiscal note is about $22,000 and that the bill presumes general-fund support while acknowledging a nonprofit (Archie's Promise/Clarissa Hamm) had installed machines in Rutherford County.

Committee members raised concerns about statewide uniformity and whether local school districts or nonprofits should lead such efforts; Senator Roberts urged caution about one-size-fits-all mandates. Ackberry said the pilot’s purpose is to test operations across West, Middle and East Tennessee and to provide state-tracked data. After debate the committee voted; the clerk recorded six ayes, two noes and one present-not-voting and the chair announced SB 587 moves to the calendar.