ADVOCACY
Menstrual equity refers to the affordability, accessibility & safety of menstrual products for all people, including laws & policies that acknowledge & consider menstruation. Ending this crisis in our lifetime requires systemic policy change.
At PERIOD., we work to draft, pass, and implement policies that further access to period products in schools and end the discriminatory tampon tax.
OUR POLICY PRIORITIES
ACCESS TO PERIOD PRODUCTS IN SCHOOLS
Period poverty remains a significant barrier to educational equity. In 2025, nearly one in four students struggle to afford period products. (2025 State of the Period Study, PERIOD.). Lack of access to period products can lead to missed class time and hinder academic performance.
Currently, 27 states and Washington, D.C. have passed laws to further access to free menstrual products in schools. (January 2026)
It's important to note that policies vary widely by state. Some laws include dedicated funding, others mandate free period products in school without funding, while some states provide funding without a requirement to provide free period products. Requirements also differ by grade level and setting, ranging from middle and high schools only to elementary schools and, in some states, public colleges and universities. Click here for more information about products in schools by state, courtesy of our friends at the Alliance for Period Supplies.
THE TAMPON TAX
Taxing menstrual products places an inequitable financial burden on people who menstruate. Today, an estimated $130 million is still collected each year in sales tax on period products across the country. (Source: Period Law, 2026)
As of January 2026, 32 states have removed the sales tax on period products, while 18 states continue to treat them as taxable goods.
Click here to learn more about state sales tax treatment of period supplies, courtesy of our friends at the Alliance for Period Supplies.
Note: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon do not have a state sales tax.
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Wait, is the same thing as the pink tax? Great question! No, the tampon tax and the pink tax are different. The pink tax refers to consumer products targeted and advertised to women that are more expensive than comparable products marketed to men (razors, soaps, deodorants, etc.) Source: World Economic Forum, 2022
FEDERAL MENSTRUAL EQUITY LEGISLATION
TANF HYGIENE ACCESS ACT
Introduced by Congressman Michael Lawler (R-NY-17) and Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-DE) on February 4, 2026, the TANF Hygiene Access Act (H.R.7367) would establish a pilot funding program for states, tribes and tribal organizations to establish hygiene-access initiatives in partnership with basic needs banks to support expanded access to hygiene products for low-income families.
Read more:
Reps. Lawler, McBride Introduce Legislation to Ensure Expanded Access to Hygiene Products
Urge your representative to co-sponsor the TANF Hygiene Access Act at the link below!
GOOD SAMARITAN MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS ACT
Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act (H.R.6212): would provide “Good Samaritan” liability protection for donated period supplies. This will enable manufacturers, retailers, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to donate and distribute period supplies in good faith without fear of frivolous lawsuits. Modeled after the liability protection given to donated food products, this legislation will increase the amount and type of donated product available to support menstruators in need. Currently, five states have passed this legislation so far: Illinois, Maine, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas.
MENSTRUAL EQUITY FOR ALL ACT
The Menstrual Equity for All Act is a comprehensive, whole of government bill that would expand access to free period products in schools, prisons, shelters and public federal buildings. It would require Medicaid to cover the cost of period supplies, eliminate the tax on period supplies and create a pilot program through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to help families purchase period supplies, among other things.
Read more:
Meng Introduces Comprehensive Legislation to End Period Poverty and Improve Access to Menstrual Products
PERIOD PROUD ACT
Reintroduced by Congressman Sean Casten (IL-6) and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-6), the Period PROUD Act would provide funding through the Social Services Block Grant program to establish and expand programs to provide low-income menstruating individuals with access to period supplies and direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Education to develop best practices for school officials to use in discussing menstruation with students.
Read more:
Meng and Casten Introduce Bill to Expand Access to Menstrual Products
IMPLEMENTING PERIOD POLICIES
A bill is only successful if it is successfully implemented! Learn more about PERIOD.'s efforts to support implementation work across the country.
TRACK ACTIVE PERIOD POLICIES
Learn more about the active bills in your state.
These live tracker maps highlight bills related to period products, menstrual health, equity, access, and/or taxation. The listing of individual bills does not imply endorsement by PERIOD. and/or our partners at the Alliance for Period Supplies.
BECOME AN ADVOCATE
NATIONAL COALITION TO END PERIOD POVERTY
The National Coalition to End Period Poverty is a nonpartisan group of national nonprofits, trade associations, and advocacy organizations promoting affordable access to menstrual products and ending period poverty in the United States through education, raising awareness, and driving policy change.
The coalition’s goals include reducing barriers and increasing access to affordable menstrual products, encouraging period-friendly bathrooms, raising public awareness about menstrual health, and advocating for national policies like providing free products in schools, prisons, shelters and public facilities. Find out more by reading our charter.
