Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro approved US$3 million to fund a grant program to offer free menstrual products to students as part of this year’s $47.6 billion state budget. “This budget makes feminine hygiene products available at no cost in our schools because girls deserve to have peace of mind so they can focus on learning,” Shapiro said.

On June 5, a bill sponsored by Darisha Parker and over two dozen lawmakers passed the House of Education Committee with bipartisan support. HB 851 ensures that grant recipients purchase and distribute products such as but not limited to: pads, tampons, sanitary napkins, pantyliners, etc. While details are still not finalized, the state Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Education, will “establish guidelines to drive out funding to schools in the coming weeks”, Casey Smith, spokesperson of the Department of Education, stated. In other words, while the bill still needs to pass the full legislature, funding is going into effect.

Like HB 851, SB 956 or the Pennsylvania Menstrual Equity Act was introduced by Senator Maria Collett in 2019. While she witnessed firsthand the lack of legislative efforts, she stated, “I’m also thrilled to see Governor Shapiro become the first PA Governor to highlight period poverty in his address. Far too many Pennsylvanians, including students, struggle to afford or access the menstrual products they need, often forcing them to miss class, impacting their academic achievement, and compounding into long-term repercussions for our economic competitiveness.”

“Thank you to Governor Shapiro for approving this important grant program, as well as to Darisha Parker for sponsoring this legislation along with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate for passing the Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Grant Program to address period poverty in the state,” said ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft. Since the launch of our End Period Poverty Campaign, ISSA recognizes and supports government and state efforts to alleviate period poverty.

ISSA will continue to educate and advocate in support of public policies to make menstrual products more available in public restrooms as part of its End Period Poverty campaign.