(Source: Openicons / Pixabay.com)
Montgomery County will place free menstrual product dispensers at all county facilities to expand access to menstrual products and alleviate the burden of period poverty when people cannot afford or do not have access to adequate menstrual hygiene products. The county will standardize the accessibility of all restrooms on county properties, including courthouses, health and human services buildings, historic sites, and county parks.
“For those who have to make difficult decisions about paying bills, buying groceries or taking care of their health, period products often end up at the bottom of the list, despite being essential,” said Jamila H. Winder, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Equipping bathrooms in county buildings helps alleviate period poverty and ensure our most vulnerable residents, including those with low incomes and unstable housing, feel cared for.”
“Providing period products in county buildings is no different than providing toilet paper and soap,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija. “These are not luxury items – they are about basic public health and hygiene.”
“As county leaders, we know how important it is to provide assistance to our citizens even when we don’t have to,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Thomas DiBello. “By stocking products in our county buildings, we can provide assistance to some of our citizens in Montgomery County.”
Period products are classified as “paper goods” in Pennsylvania’s tax code and are not taxed, just like toilet paper and diapers. However, they are not eligible for purchase by those who rely on SNAP or WIC. To address the issue of period poverty at the state level, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed two bills in 2023. House Bill 850 would require the state to apply for a federal waiver allowing SNAP and WIC to cover menstrual hygiene products if they are made available to states. House Bill 851 would create a grant program for public schools to provide free period products. Both bills are currently before the Senate; however, the most recent state budget now allocates $3 million for menstrual products for schools.
“The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women commends Montgomery County for addressing menstrual equity in its community, just as we did under the Shapiro administration,” said Commission on Women Executive Director Moriah Hathaway. “First Lady Lori Shapiro has been a staunch advocate for this issue and a champion for reducing menstrual stigma. The Shapiro administration allocated $3 million in the 2024-25 budget to provide free pads and tampons to schoolgirls. Providing free menstrual products in restrooms is also a big step forward. The commission believes women and girls across the state should have access to these products, and Montgomery County is leading the way.”
Montgomery County State Senators Maria Collett and Amanda Cappelletti have introduced Senate Bill 906, which would require Pennsylvania public agencies that serve young people, low-income people, the homeless or the incarcerated to provide free period products.
“Everyone should have access to the menstrual products they need to live a healthy, productive life, but we know that is not the reality for far too many of our neighbors,” said State Senator Maria Collett. “As a nurse—and as a legislator who has prioritized menstrual equity since taking office—I am thrilled to see my home district leading the way on this. With today’s announcement and the $3 million we secured through this year’s state budget to provide menstrual products in Pennsylvania’s public schools, momentum is on our side. Now more than ever, it’s time for the state to follow Montco’s lead and pass my and Senator Cappelletti’s Menstrual Equity Act to provide these important products in public restrooms across our state.”
“Kudos to Montgomery County officials for understanding the serious problem of period poverty and taking action,” said state Rep. Darisha Parker (D-Philadelphia), author of the Menstrual Equity Act in the House that resulted in $3 million in the recently passed state budget to provide free period products in Pennsylvania schools. “Women and girls in Pennsylvania have a right to live lives of dignity and have the health resources they need. As government leaders, we have the power to make these things happen. I am thrilled to see momentum building at the state and local levels to end the stigma and ensure health and economic equity for women and girls.”
Free menstrual products have already been provided in some Montgomery County buildings, and this initiative will expand the offering to ensure that all county-owned buildings have a regular supply of menstrual products.
For a list of county-owned and operated buildings, see Facilities • Montgomery County, PA • CivicEngage (montgomerycountypa.gov).
