Bill
HD 2344
Requires free disposable menstrual products in all MA public buildings and in campus restrooms at public colleges, easing costs and stigma for employees, students, and visitors.
Overview
- Bill number: HD 2344
- Title: An Act to increase access to menstrual products in public buildings
- Introduced: January 16, 2025 (Massachusetts)
- Current status: Filed and referenced in House docket; presented by Rep. Mindy Domb (House Docket No. 3318). The bill is a proposal for 2025-2026 General Court consideration.
- Purpose: To ensure that disposable menstrual products are freely available in public buildings and in public institutions of higher education, improving access, reducing cost barriers, and mitigating stigma around seeking such products.
What the bill would do (Key Provisions)
1) Public buildings (Chapter 7C)
- New Section 73 added to Chapter 7C.
- Definitions:
- “Menstruating individuals” means any person who menstruates.
- “Disposable menstrual products” includes products such as sanitary napkins, tampons, and underwear liners.
- Requirement:
- The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) must maintain free disposable menstrual products in all real property owned, rented, or otherwise occupied by public agencies of the Commonwealth.
- Products must be provided at no charge.
- Access must be in a convenient manner and in a way that does not stigmatize people seeking the products.
- Scope: Applies to both public employees and members of the general public using these facilities.
2) Public higher education (Chapter 15A)
- New Section 27A added to Chapter 15A.
- Definitions mirror those in Section 73 (same terms for “menstruating individuals” and “disposable menstrual products”).
- Requirement:
- Each public institution of higher education must provide disposable menstrual products in the restrooms of any building on campus at no cost.
- Access must be convenient and non-stigmatizing.
Definitions (common to both sections)
- “Menstruating individuals”: any person who menstruates.
- “Disposable menstrual products”: products used for menstruation, including sanitary napkins, tampons, and underwear liners.
Who is affected
- Public agencies and state buildings: DCAMM and other Commonwealth real property managers would be responsible for stocking free products.
- Public institutions of higher education: Colleges and universities funded or operated by the Commonwealth would need to stock free products in restrooms.
- End users: Employees, students, and members of the public who use public restrooms would have free access to these products.
Implementation and timing
- The bill outlines mandatory provision but does not specify a retroactive or exact effective date within the excerpt provided.
- Implementation responsibility rests with DCAMM for state property and with each public higher education institution for campus facilities.
- Likely to require budgetary adjustments or reallocations to fund ongoing supply of products; specific funding details are not enumerated in the text provided.
Notes
- The proposal emphasizes dignity and non-stigmatizing access, aligning with broader public health and equity objectives.
- As a proposed bill, it would need committee consideration, floor debate, and potential amendments before any enactment.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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