Governor Polis Signed House Bill 1164 Into Law,
Making Colorado the 20th State to Provide Free Period Products
DENVER, June 5, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Today, Governor Jared Polis signed the
historic House Bill 1164, "Free Menstrual Products to Students,"
which will require Colorado
schools to provide free period products for students in all middle
and high schools by 2028. He was joined at a ceremony by bill
sponsors Rep. Brianna Titone (HD 27,
Jefferson), Rep. Jenny Willford (HD
34, Adams), Sen. Janet Buckner (SD 29, Arapahoe), Sen. Faith
Winter (SD 25, Adams,
Broomfield, Weld) and coalition lead and founder and
president of Justice Necessary,
Diane Cushman Neal.
"This bill creates more access to women's health products and I
am proud that the state is stepping up to ensure all students can
succeed and thrive in the classroom without worrying about paying
for the care products they need," said Governor Polis.
For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the bill requires the general
assembly to appropriate an additional $100,000 to the Menstrual Hygiene Products Grant
program bringing the total to $200,000. Eligible school districts can apply to
receive grant funding to cover the cost of products or dispensers.
The bill also ensures all rural schools are eligible to apply for
grant funding.
"By signing this bill today, Governor Polis is ensuring every
student across the state can go to school without worrying
about when your period might arrive, or if you have the products
you need to manage it," added Diane Cushman
Neal, founder and president of Justice Necessary. "I am proud to live in a
state that ensures students can attend class without the worry
of having the necessary products to manage their periods, because
access to period products, just is necessary."
In Colorado, 90% of teens who
experience a period have started it unexpectedly in public without
proper period products, and 59% admit to struggling to afford or
access period products, according to the Colorado Teen Period
Poverty Study 2024, unjustly impacting the education of students
who experience a period.
"We've taken a significant step forward today by ensuring that
our schools are places of equity and dignity. Providing period
products in middle and high school restrooms is more than a matter
of convenience. It's a fundamental issue for ensuring that every
student has what they need to succeed. This legislation marks a
commitment to removing barriers and upholding the rights of all our
students to a disruption-free education," added Rep. Jenny Willford.
"This act ensures that any student, regardless of income, has
access to the menstrual health products they need to be successful
in school. It's our responsibility to remove any barriers in
education that stand in the way of this fundamental right,
empowering every student to reach their fullest potential," said
Sen. Janet Buckner.
"Access to education is not just a basic right: it's the very
foundation upon which we build a brighter future for all. By
ensuring every child can step into a classroom, we are opening
doors to limitless possibilities and enabling dreams that will one
day shape our world," said Rep. Brianna
Titone.
"To dismantle barriers in education is to build bridges to
success for future generations. We are committed to ensuring that
no child's potential is limited by circumstances beyond their
control, ensuring a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone,"
remarked Sen. Faith Winter.
ABOUT JUSTICE
NECESSARY
Founded in 2020 by Diane Cushman Neal, Justice Necessary is a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to combating
period poverty and hygiene poverty in Colorado communities. They work throughout
Colorado to deliver essential
hygiene products to address immediate needs, while also focusing on
community engagement, continuity of products, education, and
legislative support. Since its inception, Justice Necessary has provided more than
4,500,000 organic period products, more than 245,000 basic hygiene
products, and more than 195,000 eco-friendly diapers and wipes.
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SOURCE Justice Necessary