Gov. David Ige announced Friday that he will sign into law a bill that would make menstrual products available in public schools.
Gov. David Ige announced Friday that he will sign into law a bill that would make menstrual products available in public schools.
Senate Bill 2821 is aimed at reducing “period poverty,” the inaccessibility of menstrual products in certain areas, by requiring the Department of Education to make products such as menstrual pads and tampons available free of charge at all public school campuses.
The DOE previously has estimated the cost per year of providing those products at about $1 million.
While previous drafts of the bill would have provided a financial appropriation for the program, the final draft does not.
The bill has been widely popular during its journey through the Legislature, attracting hundreds of testimonials in support from residents and organizations statewide.
A survey from nonprofit Ma‘i Movement Hawaii — whose results partly shaped the text of the bill — found that eight out of 10 students in Hawaii faced difficulty getting period products, with half of respondents reporting missing school or work because of periods.
Members of Ma‘i Movement will join Ige and legislators at a bill signing Monday in Honolulu. Upon Ige’s signature, the bill will take effect July 1.
