Montgomery County officials announced today that free menstrual product dispensers will be placed at all county facilities, including the Eastern Montgomery County Courthouse Annex, the Health and Human Services building in Willow Grove, and facilities at Lorimer Park and Pennypack Trail in Huntingdon Valley.
The donations are described as “an effort to expand access to menstrual products and alleviate the burden of period poverty, which occurs when people are unable to afford or have access to adequate menstrual hygiene products,” a statement said.
“For those who have to make difficult decisions about paying bills, buying groceries or taking care of their health, period products often end up at the bottom of the list, despite being essential,” said Jamila H. Winder, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Equipping bathrooms in county buildings helps alleviate period poverty and ensure our most vulnerable residents, including those with low incomes and unstable housing, feel cared for.”
From the statement:
Period products are classified as “paper goods” in Pennsylvania’s tax code and are not taxed, just like toilet paper and diapers. However, they are not eligible for purchase by those who rely on SNAP or WIC. To address the issue of period poverty at the state level, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed two bills in 2023. House Bill 850 would require the state to apply for a federal waiver allowing SNAP and WIC to cover menstrual hygiene products if they are made available to states. House Bill 851 would create a grant program for public schools to provide free period products. Both bills are currently before the Senate; however, the most recent state budget now allocates $3 million for menstrual products for schools.
The announcement also noted that Montgomery County State Senators Maria Collett and Amanda Cappelletti have introduced Senate Bill 906, which would require Pennsylvania public agencies that serve young people, low-income people, the homeless or the incarcerated to provide free menstrual products.
“Everyone should have access to the menstrual products they need to live a healthy, productive life, but we know that is not the reality for far too many of our neighbors,” said Senator Collett. “As a nurse—and as a legislator who has prioritized menstrual equity since taking office—I am thrilled to see my home district leading the way on this. With today’s announcement and the $3 million we secured through this year’s state budget to provide menstrual products in Pennsylvania’s public schools, momentum is on our side. Now more than ever, it is time for the state to follow Montco’s lead and pass my and Senator Cappelletti’s Menstrual Equity Act to provide these important products in public restrooms across our Commonwealth.”
Click here to view a list of buildings owned or operated by the County.
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