TAKE ACTION AGAINST PERIOD POVERTY
ADVOCACY
LET’S DO THIS.
PERIOD PRODUCTS BELONG IN PUBLIC PLACES
Period products are essential medical necessities. We call on legislators and policy makers across the country to advance menstrual equity legislation to put period products in schools, shelters, public buildings, and prisons. Menstrual health is a matter of human rights and everyone has the right to a life of dignity.
A special thank you to The Alliance for Period Supplies for their partnership.These maps highlightbills related to period products, menstrual health, equity, access, and/or taxation, currently being considered by state legislatures. The listing of individual bills does not imply endorsement by Period. and/or Alliance for Period Supplies.
The tampon tax (or tax on period products) refers to the sales tax rate that a state, county, and/or city government collects on the retail purchase of menstrual products
21 United States still tax period products.
THE TAMPON TAX
NEARLY 1 IN 4 U.S. STUDENTS CANNOT AFFORD PERIOD PRODUCTS
Only 16 states and Washington D.C. have passed legislation to ensure students who menstruate have free access to period products in school.
Period poverty affects menstruating individuals of all ages in communities throughout the United States. The Covid-19 pandemic has only made it more difficult for students around the country, particularly students of color and lower-income students, to access period products.
FEDERAL MENSTRUAL EQUITY LEGISLATION
-
The Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2023 has officially been introduced by Representative Grace Meng with over 60 original cosponsors and 40 endorsing organizations! This is a comprehensive, historic, piece of menstrual equity legislation that would:
Provide states with federal grants to ensure menstrual products are made accessible in schools for students
Eliminate the sales tax on period products
Require Medicaid to cover the cost of menstrual products
And more!
-
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2023 (NDAA) includes Section 5309, added by Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY), which would require period products be purchased, stocked, and made available (free of charge) in all restrooms of all public government buildings. In 2021, this section was stripped from the bill, denying access to period products for those that frequent government building.
-
The Robin Danielson Menstrual Product and Intimate Care Product Safety Act of 2022, introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY), directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct research to determine to determine whether the presence of dioxins, phthalates, titanium dioxide, and other chemical additives like colorants and fragrances, pose any health risks to people who use menstrual product and intimate care products.
-
Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) and Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) introduced the Period PROUD (Providing Resources to Our Underserved and Disadvantaged) Act of 2022 to expand accessibility to menstrual products for those with limited access. The Period PROUD Act would provide funding through the Social Services Block Grant program to remove cost barriers to menstrual products and educate school officials on how to best communicate with students in need of these products.
Find and contact your U.S. Congress Representative, and ask them to support this important federal legislation.
SOME POLICY FAQS
-
Repealing the tampon tax does not directly end period poverty. People who menstruate are still unable to afford or access enough period products to manage their menstruation.
However…
The tax repeal is the first step of many required in order for the government to consider period products essential, and include them in public assistance programs.
Legally, culturally, and socially, we must disabuse ourselves of the notion that period products are a luxury consumer item.
-
Meet with or contact your state legislator and tell them it’s time to #AXETHETAX!
Click here to get started.
-
We’re so glad you asked! Period Law is the period equity movement’s lawyers. Visit their tampon tax leaderboard here to learn more about the progress of the tax bills that have been introduced across the country this year.
IMPLEMENT YOUR BILL
Menstrual equity victories are best celebrated through the implementation of passed laws, and sometimes it takes a bit of guidance and real-life examples for policies to come to life. PERIOD. is proud to have worked alongside community partners, state agencies and local activists in Oregon and California to launch Implementation guides for Oregon's Menstrual Dignity Act and the California Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2021.
Are you looking to work with your state to implement recently passed menstrual equity legislation? Contact us with questions at policy@period.org!
Your state just passed a piece of menstrual equity legislation! What happens now?
THE PERIOD. x IGNITE ORGANIZING ACADEMY
This free and fully virtual bootcamp will provide you with tools and resources to become a powerful changemaker and community leader.
Learn the ins and outs of the legislative process, build a network of politically ambitious individuals, discover how to turn your idea into action, and gain mentorship as you launch your policy career.
