New Orleans Rep. Aimee Freeman (D)
A bill to require public schools to provide menstrual products for students advances in Senate Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman said the bill was amended to remove the word restrooms and changed to an easily accessible location for female students.
“There are some school systems that do this already, but we just think it’s so important that the girls of our state have access to the tampons and menstruation pads they need,” said Freeman.
Freeman told committee members that many female students miss class due to a lack of access to feminine products and providing them will ease that burden.
“Believe it or not they do miss school sometimes because they don’t have the products and they’re embarrassed to ask somebody for them,” said Freeman.
House Bill 195 advances but after the state budget has already been approved. The question of how schools will pay for menstrual products was also discussed. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson spoke in support of the bill and recommended the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus assist in locating funding.
“The Women’s Caucus can take on as an interim project to find organizations throughout this state to help provide these until we get appropriations,” said Jackson.
The bill has been referred to Senate Finance.
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