Bill
SCR 78
The bill urges Hawaii DOE to adopt a comprehensive, age-appropriate menstrual health education curriculum across public schools that centers dignity, accessibility, inclusivity, an
SCR 78 (Session 2026) – Summary
Purpose
- Urges the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) to strengthen menstrual health education initiatives and to adopt a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum across public schools, including public charter schools.
Key Provisions and Changes Proposed
- Comprehensive Curriculum: DOE would adopt a menstrual health education curriculum that covers the menstrual cycle in a structured, age-appropriate manner, aligned with the bill’s specifications.
- Four Pillars of Menstrual Dignity:
- Privacy: Ensure space, autonomy, and personal safety for menstruating students.
- Inclusivity: Programs should be culturally responsive and gender-affirming.
- Access: Multilingual, accessible materials for all abilities; provide options for accessing materials.
- Education: Positive, stigma-free education including how to use menstrual products.
- Skills-Based Content: Curriculum would teach health promotion, information access, communication, decision-making, goal setting, healthy behaviors, and advocacy.
- Respect and Inclusion: Curriculum should be respectful of diverse races, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Content Scope:
- Topics include hygiene, stigma, health challenges, and materials beyond basic biology.
- Age-appropriate goals and standards for grades spans: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
- Grade-Specific Curricula:
- Elementary (K-5): Emphasize menstrual dignity; require teachers to demonstrate hygiene products and use anatomically correct diagrams; provide age-appropriate, menstruation-positive library books; include content on the biological purpose of the menstrual cycle and culturally relevant views/practices (including Native Hawaiian perspectives); promote comfort with using menstrual products.
- Middle/Intermediate (6-8): Include guest speakers from public health, use established materials (worksheets, diagrams, articles); cover biology of the cycle, culturally relevant views, myths about menstruation, period poverty, and pain management; promote comfort with products; discourage stigma.
- High School (9-12): Build on middle-school standards; require understanding of abnormalities in the menstrual cycle and steps to address health conditions; include pain management; require comprehensive translations for non-English speakers; reinforce dignity and depth of coursework.
- Reporting and Accountability:
- The DOE would report progress, findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation related to the measures to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2027.
- Formal Resolution Nature:
- This is a concurrent resolution; it expresses the Legislature’s urging to DOE rather than mandating new law. It would be transmitted to the Governor, Chair of the Board of Education, and Superintendent of Education.
Background and Context (As Referenced in the Bill)
- Hawaii statute already requires free menstrual products on all public school campuses (section 302A-452).
- The bill cites broader national trends and data on inconsistent menstrual health education and period poverty, and it notes California’s 2024 Know Your Period Act as a comparative example.
- It cites prior Hawaii findings (Hoohanohano Initiative, 2022; 2021 period-poverty report) showing gaps in knowledge and education about menstruation.
Procedural/Timelines
- Status: Passed in the Hawaii House and transmitted to the Senate; currently undergoing Senate committee review with a measure to adopt, amend, and pass recommended.
- After adoption, the resolution would require DOE to submit a progress report by a deadline 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session.
- As a concurrent resolution, its primary effect is policy urging rather than creating new statutory obligations.
Potential Impact
- A more consistent, comprehensive, and stigma-free menstrual health education across Hawaii public schools.
- Enhanced menstrual dignity and product access awareness for students; inclusion of culturally relevant practices (including Native Hawaiian perspectives).
- Students would gain skills in health literacy, decision-making, and advocacy related to menstrual health.
- DOE would have a formal reporting obligation to the Legislature on implementation progress and potential legislative needs.
Audience
- Education stakeholders (DOE, Board of Education, teachers, school administrators)
- Students and families
- Policymakers evaluating menstrual health education standards and potential statutory updates
Note: As a concurrent resolution, SCR 78 expresses legislative intent and guidance to the DOE and does not alone create new mandates or funding.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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