Texas Senate Bill SB 2374

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/12/25

Caption

Relating to the establishment of a grant program for the provision of menstrual products at public schools.

Summary

SB 2374 would create a state grant program administered by the commissioner of education to help eligible school districts provide menstrual products at public school campuses. The program would apply to campuses serving grades 5 through 12 that receive federal Title I funding, and grants would be distributed proportionately based on the number of female students enrolled at qualifying campuses in each eligible district. Under the bill, districts receiving grants would be required to make tampons and sanitary napkins available free of charge at qualifying campuses, with distribution handled through a female school counselor, female nurse, or female classroom teacher selected by the principal. The bill also authorizes the legislature to appropriate money for the program and allows the commissioner to seek gifts, grants, and donations from public or private sources, while requiring the adoption of rules and procedures to run the program.

Impact

The bill would add a new Section 38.038 to the Texas Education Code, creating a new state-level grant program focused on menstrual product access in public schools. It would affect school districts with Title I campuses serving grades 5-12, impose a new operational requirement on grant recipients to provide free menstrual products, and give the Texas Education Agency commissioner rulemaking authority and administrative responsibility for the program. The bill would take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, with funding dependent on legislative appropriations or outside contributions.

Sentiment

The available context shows the bill was referred to the Senate Education K-16 Committee and there were no recorded committee transcripts or votes provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be framed as a school health and student support initiative, suggesting generally supportive policy intent around student access to basic hygiene products.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or voting history. Potential areas of debate inherent in the bill include whether the state should fund the program, whether the Title I and grade 5-12 limits are appropriate, and the bill’s requirement that distribution occur through a female counselor, nurse, or teacher, which could raise questions about implementation and gender-based staffing language. The bill also limits eligibility to female students, which may be a point of discussion in broader policy review.