An Update on State Legislation Supporting Menstrual Hygiene Products in US Schools: A Legislative Review, Policy Report, and Recommendations for School Nurse Leadership

Abstract

Access to menstrual products is important to support adolescent health. Advocacy to increase access to menstrual products in schools is growing; however, ideal access requires policies that will require schools to support the menstrual health of menstruating students. We conducted a legislative review on the existence and status of state legislation related to the provision of menstrual products in US schools and categorized by state's political control (political party affiliation of governors and state legislature). Of 50 states and 6 territories, 21 had legislation to support menstrual products in schools, 7 had bills pending, 10 had bills failed, and 18 states had no policies introduced in the state legislature. States with Democrat control have significantly more menstrual product state laws compared to states with Republican control [z  =  2.54, p  =  0.01]. There is a need, especially in Republican states, to accelerate efforts to pass laws that will support menstrual product access in schools.