What's happening
This bill requires charter schools, in addition to public schools, to provide free feminine hygiene products in restrooms for grades 6-12.
Why it matters
Expands menstrual equity. By including charter schools, the bill closes a gap that left many students without guaranteed access to free feminine hygiene products, supporting the health and dignity of more young people.
Addresses student absenteeism and participation. Access to free products can reduce missed school days and classroom distractions due to lack of supplies, helping students maintain consistent attendance and focus.
Promotes fairness regardless of school type. The amendment ensures that all public school students, whether in traditional public or charter schools, receive equal support for their basic needs, reducing disparities across the education system.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Period Products in Charters
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A290
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.138
- Referred to women's issues
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Free Period Products in Charters
Vetoed · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3125
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 4, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BIAGGI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Women's Issues
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to providing feminine hygiene products in charter schools
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 267 of the public health law, as added by section 1 of part Q of chapter 56 of the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
§ 267. Feminine hygiene products in schools. All elementary and secondary public schools and charter schools in the state serving students in any grade from grade six through grade twelve shall provide feminine hygiene products in the restrooms of such school building or buildings. Such products shall be provided at no charge to students.
§ 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2019.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02158-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to providing feminine hygiene products in charter schools
Purpose
This bill requires feminine hygiene products to be offered for free in charter schools.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one adds a new section 267 to the public health law. Section two establishes the effective date.
Justification
The 2018-19 New York State budget included a provision requiring that all public schools provide feminine hygiene products free of charge in public schools, for students in grades 6-12. This was a groundbreaking step, showing New York State recognizes that menstruation should never bar a student from academic or extracurricular opportunities. Unfortu- nately, this budget provision did not extend to charter schools. Every of-age student in New York State must have free access to feminine hygiene products.
This legislation adds charter schools to the requirement that elementary and secondary public schools serving grades six through twelve shall provide feminine hygiene products in the restrooms of their school building free of charge. It is critical that menstruation, a natural biological function, does not serve as a barrier to opportunity for any students of menstruating age in New York State.
Legislative history
2017-18: A.10601 - Reported to Ways and Means
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect July 1, 2019.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.