Senate Passes Bills Supporting Equitable Health Care Access for Women
Legislation would expand access to menstrual products in public places
BOSTON (03/03/2022) – The Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill that would direct the state to provide menstrual products free of cost in \schools, correctional facilities, and shelters. “This bill is a result of the leadership of so many young people, particularly high school students across the state, from Brookline to Belchertown,” said Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Somerville), the lead sponsor of the legislation . “Once you start thinking about it, the need seems obvious. As the menstrual equity coalition says, ‘Non-menstruating people go into a bathroom expecting their basic bodily needs to be met—this is not the case for menstruators.’ This is now being seen as an issue because new generations are saying words out loud that used to be hidden by euphemisms, and they’re talking about needs that were unrecognized because they weren’t named.” The legislation requires primary and secondary schools, shelters, and correctional institutions, to provide free disposable menstrual products in a convenient and non-stigmatizing way. These products are essential to the health and well-being of people who menstruate. Students’ efforts locally have led Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Holliston and Belchertown high schools to make free products available. In Boston free products are available in nurses’ offices. In Brookline and Framingham, products are now available in all public buildings. In Fall River, thanks to a grant from DHCD, free products will be available in schools, shelters, and community centers. In many other schools and colleges, students have raised money to purchase products, or collected donated ones, and placed them in restrooms. “Period poverty is real. After hearing the experiences of local students in my communities who were forced to miss class, were shamed for having their period, or could not afford products and rallied to get them, I filed this bill with my legislative partners. No one should be denied their education or livelihood because they menstruate, and no one should have to choose between period products and other basic human necessities.” said Christine Barber, State Representative 34th Middlesex District. Approximately 1 out of 7 children in MA is living in poverty and struggles to pay for menstrual products. The federal government does not allow food stamps to be used to pay for menstrual products. Inability to access menstrual products affects students’ class attendance and productivity. Over half of MA school nurses reported seeing students miss class to get menstrual products. This is a growing movement around the country. Since this bill was introduced, at least 12 other states have adopted laws to ensure free access to menstrual products in schools. Many states’ laws provide free menstrual products in prisons, and one provides free menstrual products in shelters. This bill is the most comprehensive. An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products now heads to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.
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