H-0395.2

HOUSE BILL 1273

ByRepresentatives Berg, Caldier, Ramel, Simmons, Taylor, Lovick, Bateman, Senn, Leavitt, Fitzgibbon, Wicks, Berry, Peterson, Goodman, Valdez, Hackney, Thai, Kloba, Frame, Ryu, Bronoske, Macri, Callan, Ormsby, Pollet, Slatter, Harris-Talley, and Stonier

AN ACT Relating to menstrual hygiene products in school and postsecondary institution bathrooms; adding a new section to chapter 28A.210 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28A.210 RCW to read as follows:

(1) By the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, school districts and private schools must make menstrual hygiene products available at no cost in all gender-neutral bathrooms and bathrooms designated for female students located in schools that serve students in any of grades six through twelve.

(2) Menstrual hygiene products must include sanitary napkins, tampons, or similar items.

(3) School districts and private schools must bear the cost of supplying menstrual hygiene products. School districts and private schools may seek grants or partner with nonprofit or community-based organizations to fulfill this obligation.

(4) This section governs school operation and management under RCW 28A.710.040 and 28A.715.020 and applies to charter schools established under chapter 28A.710 RCW and state-tribal compact schools established under chapter 28A.715 RCW.

(2) Menstrual hygiene products must include sanitary napkins, tampons, or similar items.

(3) Institutions of higher education must bear the cost of supplying menstrual hygiene products. Institutions of higher education may seek grants or partner with nonprofit or community-based organizations to fulfill this obligation.

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