Menstrual products will soon be offered free in the restrooms of California public schools for students in grades 6-12 and for boys as well.
By the beginning of the next academic year, AB 367, or the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2021, will require all schools serving 6–12 grade students to provide free menstrual pads and tampons in all of their girls' and all-gender restrooms as well as at least one boy's restroom.
Furthermore, the bill mandates that public colleges and universities in California must have "an adequate supply" of menstrual products in their bathrooms. The state will reimburse all costs.
In a statement, Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) said, "Because menstrual products are a basic human right, we can ensure that a fundamental function of human biology no longer stands in the way of positive outcomes for more than half of California's population."
A bill that promotes "menstrual equity" was introduced by Garcia in February 2021.
Women's rights advocates, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom's wife Jennifer Sibel Newsom, are celebrating the passing of the bill.
31 March 2022
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