Bill
SD 1098
Requires no-cost disposable menstrual products in shelters, public schools, and detention facilities, ensuring easy, stigma-free access for menstruating individuals.
Status: House concurred (House action aligned with the Senate). Introduced February 27, 2025.
Purpose
- To ensure no-cost access to disposable menstrual products for menstruating individuals in specific public settings, reducing barriers and stigma associated with obtaining these products.
Key Provisions (Substantive changes)
1) Temporary housing assistance providers (Chapter 23B, new Section 31)
- Requirement: Providers of temporary housing assistance must supply disposable menstrual products at no cost to menstruating individuals.
- Accessibility: Products must be available in a convenient manner and in a way that does not stigmatize the requester.
- Covered settings (examples in text): Family shelters, shelters for adults, emergency hotels/apartments, domestic violence shelters, runaway/homeless youth shelters, safe houses for refugees, and similar facilities.
2) Public schools (Chapter 71, new Section 3A)
- Requirement: Every primary and secondary school must provide disposable menstrual products at no cost to students.
- Accessibility: Products must be accessible in a convenient, non-stigmatizing manner, including availability in school restrooms designated for menstruating individuals.
3) detention facilities (Chapter 127, new Section 170)
- Definition of administrator: Includes keepers/superintendents of lock-ups, jails, houses of correction, regional lock-ups, sheriffs, the colonel of state police, and other facility overseers.
- Requirement: Administrators must provide disposable menstrual products to menstruating individuals held or housed in the facility at no cost.
- Accessibility: Products must be available in a convenient manner and without stigma.
Definitions
- Disposable menstrual products: Items such as sanitary napkins, tampons, and underwear liners used by menstruating individuals.
- Menstruating individual: A person who menstruates.
Affected Parties
- Providers of temporary housing assistance (shelters, emergency housing, etc.)
- Public schools (K–12)
- Correctional and detention facilities and their administrators (jails, houses of correction, lock-ups, etc.)
- Menstruating individuals who rely on these services or facilities
Implementation and Timeline
- The bill establishes mandates across three sectors but does not specify funding or detailed implementation timelines within the text provided.
- Legislative steps noted: Filed in January 2025 (Senate docket No. 1098), referred to Public Health on February 27, 2025; House concurrence achieved (date shown in status).
Fiscal and Policy Context
- The act imposes no-cost provisions on multiple state-facing institutions. The text reviewed does not include dedicated funding sources or appropriation language; agencies would need to address costs within their operating budgets or seek separate funding.
Impact Overview
- Aims to normalize access to menstrual hygiene products, improve health and comfort for menstruating individuals in shelters, schools, and detention facilities, and reduce stigma around obtaining such products in these settings.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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