Bill would require middle, high schools in Colorado to provide free period products

Colorado middle and high schools would be required to provide free period products in their restrooms under a bill now in the state legislature, with the legislation’s sponsors equating pads and tampons to essential items students need like nutritious meals and books.

The bill’s Democratic sponsors — Rep. Brianna Titone, of Arvada; Rep. Jenny Willford, of Northglenn; Sen. Janet Buckner, of Aurora; and Sen. Faith Winter, of Westminster — said at a Thursday news conference at the state Capitol that a lack of access to period products in schools resulted in absenteeism, health issues and emotional distress for teens who may not have the money or transportation to obtain the products they need.

“No one should face barriers in their education due to a lack of access to essential items,” Winter said.

During an Education Committee hearing Thursday — one in which men left the room, legislators noted during testimony — the bill, HB24-1164, advanced on a 7-4 vote. The legislation now heads to the Appropriations Committee.

According to data provided by Denver-based Justice Necessary — an organization that tackles hygiene poverty — 90% of female teens in Colorado have started their period unexpectedly in public without the supplies they needed. Eighty percent of female teens in Colorado have missed class due to a lack of period products, Justice Necessary said. And the number of Colorado teens who lack access to period products has climbed from 77% in 2021 to 80% in 2023.

“It translates to students missing before- or afterschool activities and students missing out on their education by not being in class,” said Diane Cushman Neal, founder and president of Justice Necessary.

The new bill builds on the Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Grant Program, signed into law in 2021, that aimed to provide free menstrual hygiene products to students. The grant program allows schools to use grant money to purchase menstrual hygiene products and install dispensers and disposal receptacles.

In the 2021-22 academic year, about $100,000 in funding was awarded to 40 districts and schools through the grant. The following year, another $100,000 was awarded to 32 districts and schools.

The current bill would supplement the grant program, Titone said, and mandates the state allocate $400,000 to the program for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

“Providing period products is not going to drain budgets,” she said. “What is the cost of dignity to students?”