MN Reps. Push For Menstrual Products In All Girls, Boys Bathrooms

ST. PAUL, MN — A bill in the Minnesota House would require public schools to stock menstrual products in girls' and boys' bathrooms. The state would pay for the products.

Rep. Sandra Feist, a Democrat from New Brighton and the bill's sponsor, said the associated cost of the measure would be a "wise investment" because it would keep students from missing school due to "period poverty."

"One out of every 10 menstruating youth miss school during their menstruating cycle due to lack of access to menstrual products and resources," Feist said.

All school bathrooms that serve students in grades 4 through 12 would be mandated to offer menstrual products.

An amendment to add the word "female" to the bill failed in a House Education Finance Committee hearing last week. "Not all students who menstruate are female," Feist said, persuading committee members to vote "no" on the amendment.

Feist said some schools have gender-neutral bathrooms. She acknowledged that female students use menstruation products more often, but said it is still important to have them in all bathrooms.

To pay for the menstrual products, the bill adds $2 per adjusted pupil unit to a district’s operating capital revenue.

Find the House summary of the bill here.