In school health services, providing for Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Grant Program; and making an appropriation.
Summary
HB1101 would amend the Pennsylvania Public School Code to create the Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Grant Program within the Department of Education. The program would allow eligible public school entities to apply for grants to acquire and distribute menstrual hygiene products at no cost to students, including the installation and maintenance of dispensing machines or disposal receptacles. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Health, would develop the application process and administer the grants.
Eligibility is limited to public school entities with at least 25% of students enrolled in free or reduced-price lunch, targeting schools serving higher-need student populations. Grant amounts would be based proportionately on the number of students and restrooms identified in each application. Recipients would be required to ensure products are accessible to students and to report how grant funds were spent within one year of receiving an award. The department would then provide annual summary reports to legislative education and health committees. The bill also requires a General Fund appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026 to fund the program, and it would take effect 60 days after enactment.
Impact
The bill would add a new section to the Public School Code of 1949 and create a new state grant program for menstrual hygiene access in public schools. It would impose new administrative duties on the Department of Education, create reporting obligations for grant recipients, and require annual legislative reporting. It would also direct state funding through a General Fund appropriation to support the program, affecting school districts, charter schools, regional charter schools, intermediate units, and area career and technical schools that meet the eligibility threshold.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a supportive school health and student access initiative. The sponsor list suggests broad Democratic backing, and the policy is consistent with efforts to reduce barriers to menstrual hygiene products in schools, especially for students in lower-income communities. No recorded opposition or amendments are included in the available context.
Contention
The main policy questions likely concern state spending, the scope of the program, and how eligibility is targeted. Because the bill requires an appropriation, potential contention could center on the cost to the General Fund and whether the grant program should be limited to schools with at least 25% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Another possible point of discussion is the administrative burden on schools and the Department of Education, including reporting requirements and the logistics of installing and maintaining dispensers and disposal receptacles. No specific objections or supporters are documented in the provided committee materials.
"McElroy-Brown Hygiene and Menstrual Care Access Act; enact to establish program to provide students access to free hygiene and menstrual care products.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 49 and Title 67, relative to the Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 49 and Title 67, relative to the Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act.