Researcher: MK Page 1 4/13/22
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5272
AN ACT CONCERNING MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires certain government agencies and public and private
organizations to provide free menstrual products (i.e., tampons and
sanitary napkins) to the individuals they serve without stigmatizing
them. (The term "stigmatizing" is not defined in the bill.)
The bill requires the Department of Public Health (DPH)
commissioner, by July 1, 2022, to (1) establish guidelines for the agencies
and organizations on how to do this and (2) post the guidelines on the
department’s website.
It also specifically allows the Department of Correction DOC, local
and regional boards of education, public institutions of higher
education, and homeless and domestic violence shelters to (1) accept
donations of menstrual products and grants from any source to
purchase menstrual products and (2) partner with a nonprofit or
community-based organization to carry out the bill’s requirements.
The bill also makes a technical change by replacing the term
“feminine hygiene” with the term “menstrual” throughout the statutes
that address these products.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2022, except the provisions on the DPH
guidelines and the technical change are effective upon passage.
PROVISION OF FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS
By September 1, 2022, the bill requires the following agencies and
organizations to provide free menstrual products:
1. as is currently law, York Correctional Institution, to inmates
upon request; 2022HB-05272-R000468-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MK Page 2 4/13/22
2. local and regional boards of education, in restrooms that are
accessible to students, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year;
3. public higher education institutions, in at least one designated
and accessible central location on each campus and they must
post notice of the location on their websites;
4. public or private homeless shelters that receive grants from the
housing commissioner, in each restroom that is accessible to
residents; and
5. domestic violence emergency shelters, in each restroom that is
accessible to residents.
BACKGROUND
Related Bill
SB 2 (§§ 11-17), reported favorably by the Children's Committee,
contains similar provisions.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Health Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 20 Nay 9 (03/25/2022)