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SR 1079

SENATE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING "PERIOD POVERTY AWARENESS WEEK" ON MAY 12-18, 2025, IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alana DiMario and 9 co-sponsors

Declares Period Poverty Awareness Week and urges steps to improve access to affordable menstrual products and reduce stigma in Rhode Island.

05/15/2025 Senate read and passed
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Bill Summary · SR 1079

Summary of Rhode Island Senate Resolution SR 1079

Title

Senate Resolution supporting “Period Poverty Awareness Week” on May 12-18, 2025, in the State of Rhode Island

Purpose

SR 1079 memorializes and supports Period Poverty Awareness Week in Rhode Island (May 12–18, 2025). The resolution highlights period inequities as a global public health and human rights issue, aligns Rhode Island with ongoing advocacy to improve access to affordable period products, reduce stigma, and promote policy and funding to address period poverty.

Sponsoring Members

Introduced by Senators Kallman, Lauria, Quezada, Valverde, DiMario, Vargas, Gallo, Gu, Sosnowski, and Urso.

  • Date Introduced: May 15, 2025
  • Status: Recommended for Immediate Consideration; Senate read and passed on May 15, 2025

Key Provisions

  • Declares May 12–18, 2025, as Period Poverty Awareness Week in Rhode Island and endorses global efforts to ensure menstrual products are accessible and affordable.
  • Encourages efforts to break the stigma surrounding menstruation and to advocate for policy changes and funding to achieve dignity and justice related to period products.
  • Directs the Secretary of State to transmit duly certified copies of the resolution to:
    • Quinn Coleman, Service Director, Period Equity at Brown University
    • Amenity Aid in Warwick
    • The Rhode Island Foundation

Background and Rationale

  • The United Nations recognizes access to menstrual hygiene and care as a global public health priority and human rights issue.
  • Rhode Island previously eliminated the sales tax on period supplies in 2019, but financial, social, educational, and medical impacts of period poverty persist, especially for those living in poverty.
  • Statistics cited in the resolution underscore ongoing challenges:
    • More than 13% of Rhode Island women live below the Federal Poverty Line.
    • In the U.S., 1 in 3 teen girls have missed class due to lack of period products; 2 in 5 menstruators struggle to purchase them.
    • Women in poverty face trade-offs between buying food and period products, leading to health risks and stigma.

Affected Parties

  • Rhode Island residents, particularly women and girls experiencing poverty.
  • Organizations involved in-period equity and support services (e.g., Period Equity, Amenity Aid, Rhode Island Foundation).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative Action: 2025-05-15 — Recommended for Immediate Consideration; Senate read and passed the resolution on the same day.
  • Nature of Legislation: A non-binding resolution (no new law or fiscal appropriation) intended to recognize and promote awareness and advocacy.
  • Next Steps: As a Senate resolution, it would be forwarded to the Governor or relevant channels for formal acknowledgment; copies are to be distributed to the named organizations.

Impact and Takeaway

SR 1079 is a symbolic, non-binding measure intended to raise awareness about period poverty, reduce stigma, and encourage policy dialogue and funding to improve access to affordable period products in Rhode Island. It formalizes support for Period Poverty Awareness Week and fosters partnerships with advocacy organizations.

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

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