What states are making period products free?

• Alabama HB50. ...
• Arkansas Act 933. ...
• California AB 367. ...
• Colorado SB 21-255. ...
• Connecticut Substitute 5272. ...
• Delaware HB 20. ...
• Georgia HB 910. ...
• Hawaii SB 2821.

What states are tampons free?

Illinois mandates free menstrual products for students in grades 4-12. Since 2021, at least eight additional states, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont have introduced legislation related to free menstrual products in schools.

In what states is the pink tax illegal?

Only two states — New York and California — have made it illegal to have gender-based pricing, also known as the “pink tax,” which is the practice of charging different (often higher) prices for goods or services marketed to women than for men.

Is America limiting period products?

The US is reeling from a tampon shortage, leaving users with fewer menstrual product options as supplies dwindle nationwide, consumers and advocates say. This shortage is precariously timed, coming as the price of menstrual products has recently surged, advocates also said.

How many girls miss school because they can t afford period products?

One in five American girls miss all or part of the school day due to their periods. Why? Affordability. One in five American girls with periods struggled to purchase period products due to lack of income.

Why do teachers have free periods?

Teachers have a stressful job, so giving them a bit of free time would benefit their mental health and make them less stressed about grading papers and telling students to get their work turned in. Adding a free period to the schedule would also teach students responsibility.

Who made period products free?

That year, the Scottish government made history by becoming the first in the world to make period products free to students.

Why is period poverty an issue?

Poor hygiene measures during menstruation can pose serious health risks, such as reproductive and urinary tract infections, thrush, and others. Menstruators require access to sanitary facilities, clean water, and affordable, safe menstrual products in order to have a healthy and secure period.

Why is there a tampon tax?

Menstrual hygiene products are considered by many states within the United States as "tangible individual property" resulting in additional sales tax. This additional tax increases the overall price and further limits accessibility to menstrual hygiene products to lower-income women.

Where are female hygiene products free?

How many people Cannot afford menstrual products?

According to the World Bank, as many as 500 million people across the globe lack access to basic menstrual products and hygienic bathroom facilities for use during their menstrual cycles.

Are feminine products free in California?

A year and a half ago, California passed a law requiring public colleges to provide free menstrual products to students. It's the first such law in the nation, and campuses are required to be compliant by this school year.

What happens if a 13 year old misses her period?

It's normal for teens to miss a period, or even go a few months without one like you have. Your body is still growing and adjusting, and your hormones are still figuring their thing out. Since you haven't had sex, you also don't have to worry that your delayed or missed period is because you're pregnant.

How much money does a woman spend on period products a year?

According to Groundswell, “the average woman spends about $120 per year on pads and tampons and an additional $20 each year on over-the-counter medication to combat cramps and other period-related side effects.

How can we stop period poverty in the US?

Some states have already passed their own laws to offer this or have ended taxes on menstrual products. You can also help by starting conversations around period poverty, donating your time to a period-related organization, or giving supplies to the local food bank or shelter.

Is period poverty a tampon shortage?

In June, an article in Time highlighted social media complaints from consumers across the US about a shortage of period products on store shelves since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Period poverty organizations backed up the under-reported issue and cited drop-offs in tampon donations in recent months.

Why do period products cost money?

This is in part due to the fact that companies strive to appeal to feminine societal norms and capitalize off of it. The up-charge for essentially the same merchandise can burn a hole through women's wallets and add up to a large chunk of money.

Which country has free tampons?

Scotland is the first country to offer period products free of charge on a national scale. Others, including New Zealand and Kenya, distribute products for free in public schools. In the U.S., a package of tampons or menstrual pads costs around $7 to $10 for a supply that may last a month or two.

Is there a blue tax?

Blue Tax Body + Care products include a 13% blue tax which is paid each month to an organization working on gender equity issues for all gender identities. This is not a movement for women. This is a movement for all of us.

What is the luxury tax on tampons?

Starting in 2020, the federal government considers menstrual products as a qualified medical expense. And since 2016, twenty-three states exempted these products from state sales taxes, eliminating the so-called “tampon-tax."