Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law that requires school districts and charter schools in the state to stock period products in school bathrooms for free use — including boys’ restrooms.
The law states the products must be available to “all menstruating students” in grades 4-12. Each district needs to develop a plan to stock pads and tampons in bathrooms regularly used by female and male students.
Republicans attempted to alter the bill to require the products for female students only, but Democrats resisted the change.
State Rep. Sandra Feist said:
“Not all students who menstruate are female. We need to make sure all students have access to these products.”
Feist, a Democrat, said non-female menstruating students “face a greater stigma and barrier to asking for” such products.
