Florida bill aimed to provide free feminine hygiene products in schools dies a second
The “Learning with Dignity” Act would have made it possible for students in K-12 schools to have access to products that many find expensive
On March 14, the Learning with Dignity Act died a second time in the Senate’s education committee without hearing.
Democratic Sen. Lauren Book introduced the bill on Jan. 11. The bill aimed to provide free feminine hygiene products to K-12 schools.
Republican Sen. Joe Gruters is the chair of the Senate’s education committee. Including Gruters, around 66% of this committee are members of the Republican party.
“SB 248 ‘died’ in the Education Committee because it was not placed on the agenda by the chair of said committee,” said Sean M. LeHockey, Book’s legislative assistant.
Its companion bill, HB 175, introduced by Democratic Representative Michael Grieco, also died in the House of Representatives’ secondary education and career development subcommittee on the same day.
Republican Representative Stan McClain is the chair for this subcommittee and around 66% of its members belong to the Republican party.
Gruters and McClain were the chairs of their respective committee and subcommittee when the bills died for the first time on April 30, 2021.
Both bills were initially postponed indefinitely on March 12, but neither received a hearing and were subsequently taken off the legislative agenda.
“First the abortion law, then the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill and now this,” said Luisa Matron, an English major at Florida Atlantic University. “It feels like we are going backwards.”
According to the bill, feminine hygiene products are a “serious and ongoing need” and without them, students’ education is likely to be affected.
The State of the Period reported that 23% of students struggle to obtain menstrual products, 76% say there is a negative association that periods are “gross” and “unsanitary,” 16% have chosen to buy period products over food or clothes as a result of the pandemic and two-thirds of students agree that too many people have to miss out on valuable school time because they do not have the period products they need.
The survey reported that 77% students recognize that lack of access to period products is a critical issue people face and 76% say it isn’t discussed enough, despite having a large impact on students’ lives.
A study by Obstetrics & Gynecology, an organization advocating for the advancement of women’s health care, showcased that 21% of women were unable to afford needed menstrual hygiene supplies monthly and have to resolve with rags, toilet paper or tissue. These temporary measures are unsanitary and may generate severe health issues.
“It’s bullshit,” said Juliana Aughey, a West Palm Beach resident. “But the only thing we can do now is speak out and make it known that [feminine products] are needed.”
With the end 2022 legislative session, students have something to look forward to in 2023 legislative session.
“The Learning with Dignity Act is on our list of potential bills for the next legislative session,” said LeHockey.
