Michigan Democrat Lawmakers Look To Allocate $10 Million for Tampons In Boys School Bathrooms

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Democrat lawmakers want menstrual products in schools for both girls and boys – and they’ve proposed $10 million in the state’s education budget to pay for it.

State Rep. Mai Xiong, D-Warren, introduced the bill as part of a broader initiative to reduce barriers to education and access to hygiene products. Across the country, states have passed laws requiring period products to be provided at no cost in schools, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters.

Despite Michigan’s schoolchildren ranking near the bottom for reading, the state’s Democrats continue to focus on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion agenda in schools. House Bill 6168 requires schools to stock tampons and pads in at least one restroom for females and males or gender-neutral bathrooms in each school building. It’s not optional to receive the state reimbursement.

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Xiong, with support from a group of like-minded Democratic legislators, introduced the bill last week in an effort to provide students access to menstrual products no matter their gender.

Right now, the bill has been referred to the Committee on Appropriations. And House Democrats only have a couple of weeks to get it passed before the end of this legislative session.

The $10 million for menstrual products is part of a ballooning education budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The budget allocates $17.78 billion from the State School Aid Fund, $78.83 million from the General Fund, plus additional funding for transportation, meals, early education, and retirement obligations.

Districts must apply for the funding to receive reimbursement for menstrual products and meet certain requirements. The initiative could roll out during the 2024-2025 school year if the proposal passes, according to this article on davebondy.locals.com.

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Districts will be reimbursed based on the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under federal guidelines. Those that participate will receive at least 50% of the associated costs, and it will likely be higher for districts with higher rates of children living in poverty.

Back in June, Democrats stuffed $1.4 million for ‘free’ tampons in state-owned men’s and women’s bathrooms in its record $82.5-billion budget, as previously reported by The Midwesterner.

According to Section 890 of the budget, the Menstrual Product Pilot program: “Requires funds appropriated for free hygiene products pilot program under section 890 to be used to provide free menstrual discharge absorption devices in the restrooms of state-owned and leased buildings.”

“Michigan students have terrible test scores and face devastating mental health struggles, but Democrats still chose to take away the mental health resources we worked so hard to secure, and instead pay for state-funded tampons,” said state Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Caledonia, in opposition to the Menstrual Product Pilot Program.

Increasing access to period products has become a growing priority among state lawmakers, particularly in Democratic-controlled legislatures. At least 12 states and the District of Columbia provide free menstrual products in schools, according to this legislative roundup on State Actions to Increase Access to Menstrual Products.

Minnesota has gained notoriety for legislation requiring schools to offer free menstrual products. During discussions, state Rep. Sandra Feist noted, “Not all students who menstruate are female,” according to this report by Michigan News Source.

The movement, known as menstrual equity, refers to the affordability, accessibility, and safety of menstrual products. Various studies have found that significant percentages of women struggle to afford menstrual products.

Advocates say it also interferes with work and school and poses health risks, leading to urinary tract infections, toxic shock syndrome, and self-esteem issues.

“Period poverty can impact participation in school or force women to choose between menstrual products and basic necessities,” according to an article on the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In 2021, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer repealed Michigan’s tampon tax, eliminating the tax on essential menstrual products. Around the same time, Ann Arbor passed an ordinance that requires all public restrooms in the city to carry menstrual products.