(From a press release)
Montgomery County is installing free period product dispensers across all county-owned facilities in an effort to widen access to menstrual products and alleviate the burden of period poverty, when people are unable to afford or get access to adequate menstrual hygiene products, officials said. The county will standardize accessibility across all bathrooms on county properties including courthouses, health and human services buildings, historic sites, and county parks.
“For those who have to make tough decisions about paying bills, buying food, or looking after their health, period products often end up at the bottom of the list, even though they are essential items,” said Commissioners Chair Jamila H. Winder. “Stocking bathrooms in county buildings helps alleviate period poverty and ensures that our most vulnerable residents, including those with limited incomes and unstable housing, feel cared for.”
“Making period products available in county buildings is no different than providing toilet paper and soap,” said Commissioner Neil Makhija. “These are not luxury items – it’s basic public health and hygiene.”
“As county leaders we recognize the value of choosing to provide assistance to our residents, even when we don’t have to,” said Commissioner Thomas DiBello. “By stocking products in our county buildings, we can provide relief to some of our residents in Montgomery County.”
Period products are classified as “paper goods” in Pennsylvania’s tax code and are not taxed, along with toilet paper and diapers. However, they are not eligible purchases for those who rely on SNAP or WIC.
To address the issue of period poverty at the state level, the Pennsylvania House passed two bills in 2023. House Bill 850 would require the commonwealth to apply for a federal waiver allowing SNAP and WIC to cover menstrual hygiene products, when made available to the states. House Bill 851 would create a grant program for public schools to provide free period products. Both bills are now with the Senate. However the most recent state budget now funds $3 million toward menstrual products for schools.
“The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women commends Montgomery County for addressing menstrual equity in their community, just like we have in the Shapiro Administration,” said Commission on Women Executive Director Moriah Hathaway. “First Lady Lori Shapiro has been a steadfast advocate for this issue and a champion for reducing period stigma, and the Shapiro Administration secured $3 million in the 2024-25 budget to provide pads and tampons to school students at no cost – and adding free menstrual products in restrooms is a great step forward. The Commission believes that women and girls across the Commonwealth deserve to have access to these products and Montgomery County is leading the way.”
State Senators Maria Collett (D-Montgomery) and Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery) introduced Senate Bill 906, which would require Pennsylvania’s public agencies serving those who are young, low-income, homeless, or incarcerated to provide free period products.
“Everyone should have access to the menstrual products they need to live healthy, productive lives, but we know that’s not the reality for far too many of our neighbors,” said Collett. “As a nurse – and as a lawmaker who has prioritized menstrual equity since taking office – I’m so thrilled to see my home county leading the way here. With today’s announcement, and with the $3 million we secured to provide period products in Pennsylvania’s public schools through this year’s state budget, the momentum is on our side. Now more than ever, it’s time for the state to follow Montco’s lead and pass my and Senator Cappelletti’s Menstrual Equity Act to put these essential products in public restrooms across our Commonwealth.”
Some Montgomery County buildings already provided menstrual products free of charge, and this initiative expands the offering to ensure that all county-owned properties are regularly stocked.
