The Menstrual Equity for All Act Feminine Hygiene Products in Public Schools

Imagine arriving at school to realize that your period has started. But you have no tampon or pad (as you weren’t expecting it to happen quite yet). And you have no money. Now, you’ll spend the day with a wad of toilet tissue doing the job of a feminine hygiene product. You could ask a teacher but when you’re 13, that’s an embarrassing proposition - and most of your friends are in the same bind as you are. Their families don’t have extra money, either.

This year, all public institutions of learning in California are required to provide free feminine hygiene products under the Menstrual Equity for All Act, on pain of penalties that will apply starting on January 01, 2024. In this post, we’ll talk about the history of this legislation, its specific provisions, and how you can count on Unisan to do its part for global access to these necessary products.

History of the CA Menstrual Equality Act

In 2017, the State of California passed legislation (AB 367) requiring schools serving students from low-income families to provide menstrual products, free of charge. Inspired by legislation in Scotland proclaiming period products to be a human right, the earlier law was limited to public schools hosting grades 6 through 12, with no less than 40% of the student body living below the poverty threshold. Feminine hygiene products were to be provided in half of these schools’ restrooms. These schools were also expressly prohibited from charging for the products.

The 2021 Menstrual Equity for All Act fortifies legislation mounted in 2017, now requiring that schools hosting grades 6-12 provide feminine hygiene products in all school restrooms, including one men’s restroom per school. The legislation also extends earlier provisions to encompass State Universities and community colleges. While not bound by the legislation, private universities and colleges are also encouraged to stock feminine hygiene products in the spirit of the Act.

The Menstrual Equality Act also eliminates taxation on menstrual products. Other US states have taken similar legislative action, reducing the cost of necessary feminine hygiene products for all.

Addressing “Period Poverty”

The rationale driving this legislative action is the growing knowledge of “period poverty”. Menstrual products are not only expensive but having to purchase feminine hygiene products in schools can be prohibitive for students of lesser economic means. This reality too often keeps menstruating students at home when they should be learning.

Without access to feminine hygiene products, millions of students miss days of school every month. And this phenomenon is by no means limited to developing nations. In New Zealand, 90,000 students stay home for want of menstrual products, representing 20% of the menstruating student population. In the USA, 1 in 10 college students can’t afford feminine hygiene products. But in US students aged 13 to 19, fully 25% of menstruating students have no access or restricted access. Globally, 500 million students are deprived of access to feminine hygiene supplies due to economic circumstances, using grass, rags, and paper as substitutes. It’s hoped that the Menstrual Equity for All Act will encourage other jurisdictions to stand up in support of menstruating students everywhere, offering full, free access to meet their needs.

Complying With the Act

All public schools, State Colleges, and community colleges are bound to comply with the Act, with no less than one accessible central location for dispensing the products available at every campus.

Printed guarantees of access encompassed by the Menstrual Equity for All Act must be posted in every school restroom stocked with feminine hygiene products. Impacts to institutional budgets may be recuperated through reimbursement from the State of California for the cost of products, dispensers, and disposal units.

Unisan’s consistent quality is matched with utility that builds in compliance at your school or higher learning institution. Our dual feminine hygiene products coinless dispenser stocks both tampons and sanitary napkins, offering a free option for menstruating students.

Supporting Compliance With the Menstrual Equity for All Act

With less than 6 months remaining to bring public schools and other educational institutions into compliance with the Menstrual Equity for All Act, Unisan is supporting the legislation’s success with our range of quality feminine hygiene products, vending machines, and waste receptacles.

In addition to our Act-compliant free dispenser, we offer schools and higher learning institutions additional support in coin vending machines, ensuring that feminine hygiene products are always available in sturdy, well-functioning machines. Proper disposal is crucial for feminine hygiene products, so our swing-type sanitary napkin disposal container keeps used products safely and hygienically contained until they can be removed.

To stock your Unisan dispensers, call on our reliable customer service to keep our consistent quality coming. Arriving in boxes of 500 pieces, our individually wrapped, fragrance and dye-free tampons are of the same consistent quality as all our products, providing the student body in your school with access to the feminine hygiene products they need.

At Unisan, we make compliance with the Menstrual Equity for All Act easy. We’re a family business, grown by building relationships with customers instead of just taking orders. Unisan brings you customer service that honors your trust, keeping your school in full compliance with the Act.

Comply with the Menstrual Equity for All Act with Unisan

For all your school or institution of higher learning’s sanitary needs, call on the trusted service and support of Unisan. With January 01, 2024 on the horizon, we support you with quality products trusted by education professionals all over the USA. Now that the Act applies to all public learning institutions in California, let Unisan provide the feminine hygiene products and accessories your students need, partnering with you in the spirit of the Menstrual Equality Act.

For all your sanitary needs, from janitorial supplies and accessories to feminine hygiene needs, Unisan offers reliable service and a supply chain you can count on. Unisan is doing its part to support menstruating students and the public schools they attend. We put feminine hygiene products in schools with consistent quality and reliability that keep you in compliance with the Menstrual Equity for All Act!