Free pads, tampons and liners have become a recent addition to the girls’ bathrooms at our school. The installation of the product dispensers came after the implementation of Bill AB-367, which requires all California schools, grades six through 12, to have free menstrual products in at least 50% of the bathrooms.
The state agreed to reimburse schools for all money spent towards menstrual products in the bathrooms.
The bill was passed October 2021 by Governor Newsom, and went into effect at the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
The product dispensers were added at the beginning of October and girls are pleased. Freshman Jocelyn Valle shares her enthusiasm about the addition.
“It’s great that the bathrooms will have free menstrual products now. It’s nice to know that you don’t have to worry about where to get a pad when your period comes by surprise,” she said.
However, many students have noticed that the dispensers are empty. This led to disappointment, but it’s still a step closer to free menstrual products for girls.
