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H 4611

An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 56 co-sponsors

The bill requires free disposable menstrual products to be available in readily accessible, stigma-free locations across schools, public facilities, shelters, colleges, and detenti

Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
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Bill Summary · H 4611

Summary of H.4611: An Act to Increase Access to Disposable Menstrual Products

Overview

  • Bill Number: H 4611
  • Title: An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products
  • Status: Reported favorably by the Public Health committee and referred to the Health Care Financing committee
  • Introduced: October 20, 2025
  • Filed: October 8, 2025
  • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts General Laws, with amendments adding requirements across multiple state agencies and public institutions
  • Primary Purpose: Ensure free, readily accessible disposable menstrual products for menstruating individuals across schools, public facilities, higher education institutions, shelters, and detention facilities, in a manner that reduces stigmatization.

Key Provisions (Section-by-Section)

Section 1: Chapter 7C – Public Properties

  • Adds a new Section 73.
  • Requirement: The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance must provide disposable menstrual products at no cost in all real property owned, rented, or occupied by public agencies of the Commonwealth.
  • Accessibility: Products must be in readily accessible locations (including restrooms) and provided in a stigma-free manner.

Section 2: Chapter 15A – Higher Education

  • Adds a new Section 27A.
  • Requirement: Each public institution of higher education must provide disposable menstrual products at no cost to menstruating students/staff.
  • Accessibility: Products must be in readily accessible locations (including restrooms) and provided without stigma.

Section 3: Chapter 23B – Temporary Housing Assistance

  • Adds a new Section 31.
  • Requirement: Providers of temporary housing assistance (e.g., family shelters, emergency shelters, hotels used for shelter, domestic violence shelters, etc.) must provide disposable menstrual products at no cost.
  • Accessibility: Products must be in readily accessible locations (including restrooms) and provided without stigma.

Section 4: Chapter 71 – Primary and Secondary Education

  • Adds a new Section 3A.
  • Requirement: Every public primary and secondary school must provide disposable menstrual products at no cost.
  • Accessibility: Products must be in readily accessible locations (including restrooms) and provided without stigma.

Section 5: Chapter 127 – Detention/Custody Facilities

  • Adds a new Section 170.
  • Requirement: Administrators of facilities such as jails, lock-ups, or other detention facilities must provide disposable menstrual products at no cost.
  • Accessibility: Products must be in readily accessible locations (including restrooms) and provided without stigma.

Definitions (Used Throughout)

  • “Disposable menstrual products” include sanitary napkins, tampons, underwear liners, and other similar items.
  • “Menstruating individual” refers to a person who menstruates.

Who is Affected

  • Commonwealth public agencies and real property managers
  • Public colleges and universities
  • Providers of temporary housing and shelters
  • Public and non-parochial primary and secondary schools
  • Detention and custody facilities (jails, lock-ups, etc.)

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative Actions:
    • 2025-10-20: Reported from the Public Health committee
    • 2025-10-20: New draft associated with House Bill 2483
    • 2025-10-20: Reported favorably by the Public Health committee and referred to the Health Care Financing committee
  • No specific funding mechanism or appropriation is embedded in the text; the bill does not specify funding sources or annual cost estimates. Implementation costs would likely fall to the respective agencies and facilities.

Impact and Implications

  • Aims to reduce financial barriers to menstrual products and reduce stigma by providing free products in accessible locations.
  • Promotes gender equity and menstrual health access across multiple state systems.
  • Requires coordination across state agencies to implement stocking and distribution in restrooms and other public areas.
  • The absence of explicit funding may necessitate future fiscal planning or appropriations to support implementation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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