An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of General Services and its departmental administrative and . . . advisory boards and commissions, providing for menstrual hygiene products in State buildings.
Summary
HB337 would amend Pennsylvania’s Administrative Code of 1929 to require the Department of General Services to provide menstrual hygiene products in State buildings. Specifically, the department would have to make products such as tampons, sanitary napkins, and pads available free of charge to the public and install and maintain dispensing machines and disposal receptacles in at least 50% of bathrooms in all State buildings. The bill also requires signage so the public knows the products are available.
The bill includes several exceptions. The requirement would not apply to State buildings without bathrooms or to buildings that are not regularly occupied or in use, such as salt storage facilities, unoccupied storage buildings, maintenance sheds, and temporary structures. It also allows the department to avoid installing new disposal receptacles where suitable receptacles already exist. The Department of General Services may adopt implementation guidelines, and the act would take effect 60 days after enactment.
Impact
The bill would add a new section to the Administrative Code of 1929 governing the Department of General Services’ responsibilities for State-owned buildings. It would create a statewide access requirement for menstrual hygiene products in public-facing bathrooms in Commonwealth buildings, impose related maintenance and signage duties, and establish a free-of-charge standard for the public. The measure would directly affect the Department of General Services, State building managers, and visitors to State facilities, while leaving room for agency guidance on implementation.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable support but not unanimous agreement. The House State Government Committee reported the bill as committed by a 14-12 vote, indicating a close and partisan or policy-based split rather than broad consensus. No committee transcript is available, so the recorded vote is the main indicator of sentiment, and it points to a bill that has support from a majority but also meaningful opposition.
Contention
The main points of contention likely concern the cost, scope, and operational burden of requiring free menstrual products in State buildings and in at least half of all bathrooms. Opponents may question whether the mandate is necessary, how it will be funded, and whether the 50% bathroom threshold is practical across diverse facilities. Supporters appear to view the bill as a public-access and equity measure that ensures basic menstrual products are available in government buildings without charge.
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