HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 651        FILED ON: 1/26/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2354

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Jay D. Livingstone and Christine P. Barber

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 651        FILED ON: 1/26/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2354

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 126 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 21 the following section:-

Section 21A. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

“Menstruating individuals,” any person who menstruates.

“Disposable menstrual products,” products used by menstruating individuals including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, and underwear liners.

“Chief administrator,” the superintendent of a state prison facility under the jurisdiction of the department of correction, the sheriff or special sheriff in charge of a jail, house of correction or regional lock-up facility, the chief of police of a city or town, the colonel of the state police, or the director of any other facility used for the detention of persons arrested and held in custody or serving a sentence.

Section 21B. Disposable menstrual products shall be provided at no cost to individuals who menstruate and who are housed in state prison facilities and county jails and houses of correction used for the general confinement of individuals and in any other state or local facility where menstruating individuals are detained or confined by law enforcement agencies.

The chief administrator of a state prison, jail, house of correction or other holding facility shall work to ensure that such products shall be available in a convenient manner that does not stigmatize any persons seeking such products.

SECTION 2. Chapter 121F is hereby amended by inserting after section 3 the following section:-

Section 3A. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

“Menstruating individuals,” any person who menstruates.

“Disposable menstrual products,” products used by menstruating individuals including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, and underwear liners.

Section 3B. Any provider of temporary housing assistance, which shall include but not be limited to, a family shelter, a shelter for adults, a hotel used for emergency shelter, an emergency apartment, a domestic violence shelter, a runaway and homeless youth shelter, or a safe house for refugees, shall be required to provide disposable menstrual products, including but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, and panty liners, at no cost to menstruating individuals. Such products shall be available in a convenient manner that does not stigmatize any persons seeking such products.

SECTION 3. Chapter 71 is hereby amended by adding, after section 3, the following new section:-

Section 3A. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:-

“Menstruating individuals,” any person who menstruates.

“Disposable menstrual products,” products used by menstruating individuals including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, and underwear liners.

All schools serving students in any grade from kindergarten through grade twelve shall provide disposable menstrual products in all restrooms of such school building or buildings for people who menstruate. Such products shall be provided at no charge to students. Such products shall be available in a convenient manner that does not stigmatize any persons seeking such products.