Welcome to the May update of the ISSA project. This press release from ISSA, the world’s leading cleaning industry association, provides an update on the association’s efforts to end menstrual poverty through advocacy and education. We encourage you to sign up for it monthly update.
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Hygieia Network webinar: Advocating end-of-period poverty
Join ISSA – the World Cleaning Industry Association – and the ISSA Hygieia Network on May 25 during Periodic Poverty Awareness Week to find out what periodic poverty is, how it affects the industry and how you can help address it. This webinar will be attended by John Nothdurft, Director of Government Affairs at ISSA and Jennifer Gaines, Program Director at Alliance for Period Supplies. The webinar is sponsored by Aunt Flow and Hospeco Brands Group. Register for free today!
The National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) is pleased to announce the winners of the “End Poverty with NFWL” competition sponsored by Kimberly-Clark and her U by Kotex brand. Each winner will receive a $1,000 donation of menstrual products to a social initiative of their choice and the opportunity to be featured on NFWL’s social media channels throughout May until Poverty Awareness Week periodMay 22-28, 2023
Reminder: May 22-28 is Poverty Awareness Week
We anticipate that the Federal Menstrual Equality for All Act of 2023 will be reintroduced by Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) this week.
Legislative updates
Canada made changes to the labor code requires all federally regulated workplaces to provide free menstrual products to their employees, beginning December 15, 2023.
Arizona finalizes its budget, which includes Funds of $2 million to have the education department pay for women’s hygiene products in schools.
California has a Senate appropriations hearing (SB 59) on May 18. This bill will further expand the requirements for state-owned and leased buildings, local government buildings, and hospitals receiving state funding. The draft has already passed through other relevant committees.
IN Florida, HB 389 passed the Sejm and the Senate. The bill, awaiting the governor’s signature, would allow but not require school districts to make period products available at no cost. An amendment has been introduced to limit the placement of non-manufacturer advertisements on the dispenser.
The Louisiana The House Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to positively file LA HB 117 out of committee. The bill would require every public school governing body to make menstrual products available free of charge in easily accessible locations.
Maine a hearing was held in the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs on 9 May LD348, an act to make menstrual products available in certain schools. No vote was taken.
IN Minnesotalanguage requiring public and charter schools to provide students with access to free menstrual products in restrooms for students in grades 4-12 has been added to H2497, draft act on collective financing of education. He is currently on the conference committee, but the language has been agreed. Pending Governor Tim Walz’s signature, Minnesota will become the 16th state to require menstrual products in schools.
The New Jersey The Parliamentary Committee on Women and Children unanimously moved A1349that would require and fund menstrual products in school restrooms for grades 6-12. As of 2019, there have been multiple iterations of this bill. The bill has already passed the Senate. This bill has been referred to the education committee and we expect it to pass through the entire Assembly and be signed by the Governor in this session.
There are also many states such as South Carolina, TexasAND Wisconsin, are considering abolishing the sales tax on menstrual products.
News
Period poverty: barriers to safe and equitable menstrual hygiene
Building Services Management Magazine – Equal Treatment in Bathrooms
Plant manager: period products instead of ping-pong?
The market value of feminine hygiene products will exceed USD 37.26 billion by 2030
Please contact us with any questions and/or comments related to ISSA government issues. And thank you for supporting our advocacy efforts. You can learn more about ISSA’s end-of-term poverty campaign contribute here.