Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators Testimony
S.1445/H.2354, An Act to Increase Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Prisons, Homeless Shelters, and Public Schools
Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators
State House, Room 460
Boston, MA 02133
www.MAWomensCaucus.com
June 7, 2021
The Honorable Joanne M. Comerford, Senate Chair
Joint Committee on Public Health
State House, Room 413-C
Boston, MA 02133
The Honorable Marjorie C. Decker, House Chair
Joint Committee on Public Health
State House, Room 33
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Honorable Chairs:
The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators is pleased to submit testimony in support of S.1445/H.2354, An Act to Increase Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Prisons, Homeless Shelters, and Public Schools. Following an extensive and thorough process, the Caucus selected this bill as one of just four legislative priorities this session.
As you know, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators is a bipartisan and bicameral caucus, this session with a record number 62 members, comprising 31% of the legislature. This session, the Caucus selected three strategic priorities to guide our work: COVID-19's Disparate Impact on Women, Health Access & Racial Disparities, and Empowering Women in Government. An Act to Increase Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Prisons, Homeless Shelters, and Public Schools fits squarely within our Health Access & Racial Disparities priority, and we look forward to continuing to advocate for its passage.
Filed by Senator Jehlen, Representative Barber and Representative Livingstone, this bill would ensure access to menstrual products to all menstruating individuals in public schools, homeless shelters, and prisons. Half of the world menstruates, and products are a health necessity, much like toilet paper and paper towels. This bill was inspired by youth activism and person-of-color led efforts in cities and towns across Massachusetts.
A 2019 “State of Menstrual Access Survey” conducted by MassNOW and the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition showed deep period poverty, inequities, and related impacts in Massachusetts. 56% of school nurses reported observing students missing class to obtain products and 25% of shelters reported that they did not provide menstrual products, often due to lack of supply.
Currently, Massachusetts has no requirement about access to menstrual products in these spaces, leaving menstruating individuals vulnerable to stigma, health consequences, and even retaliation.
In public schools, access to products varies, but often products are kept in the nurses office. Students report frequently missing or being late to class and incurring judgement because they had to go out of their way to access necessary products. This is especially challenging for trans and nonbinary individuals, who face added stigma in ensuring that their bodily needs are met.
For menstruating individuals experiencing homelessness, shelters report that menstrual products are among the least donated items. Though all prisons and jails in Massachusetts said that they provide products, there are reports that choices are limited, the number of products provided is inadequate, and access can be used as a means of control and punishment.
We thank the Joint Committee on Public Health for giving this bill a favorable report last session. Since then, the need for products has increased as economic insecurity continues to grow amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 22.9% of respondents to a 2021 survey said that the pandemic made it harder for them to access menstrual products. Lack of access to products was also reported as a concern in the April 2020 report by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, “Impact of COVID-19 and Related Policy on Massachusetts Women and Girls.”
By passing this bill, Massachusetts will be a national leader in ensuring access to products for all who menstruate. As a legislative priority of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, we request that you give An Act to Increase Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Prisons, Homeless Shelters, and Public Schools a favorable report. Thank you for your review of this bill and your work on the many other critical public health matters before our Commonwealth. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, or if we can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Senator Joan B. Lovely
Representative Patricia A. Haddad
Co-Chairs, Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators
