California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Friday that will mandate that public schools and colleges keep free menstrual products in their restrooms.
The new rules expand a 2017 law that required only low-income schools to provide the products.
Now, pads, tampons and other products will be required in all schools with grades six through 12, community colleges and the state university system beginning in the 2022-2023 academic school year.
The law also urges private educational institutions to adopt the new requirements.
“Our biology doesn’t always send an advanced warning when we’re about to start menstruating, which often means we need to stop whatever we’re doing and deal with a period,” said California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, who sponsored the legislation. “Just as toilet paper and paper towels are provided in virtually every public bathrooms, so should menstrual products.”
Several other states have adopted or are considering similar measures.
“Menstrual equity is a matter of human rights,” advocacy group PERIOD said. “No student should ever lose learning time due to their periods, period.”
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