FINAL BILL REPORT
ESHB 1273
C 163 L 21
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning menstrual products in schools.
Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives 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).
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Background:

The Washington State Board of Health (BOH) must adopt rules controlling public health related to environmental conditions in public facilities, including schools.

The BOH rules require adequate, conveniently located toilet and hand-washing facilities for students and employees.  At hand-washing facilities, soap and single-service towels or warm air dryers must be provided.  Toilet paper must be available, conveniently located adjacent to each toilet fixture.  Toilet and hand-washing facilities must be accessible for use during school hours and scheduled events.


"Institutions of higher education" are defined as: 

  • any public university, college, community college, or technical college operated by the state or any political subdivision; or
  • any other university, college, school, or institute in the state offering instruction beyond the high school level that is a member institution of an accrediting association recognized by rule of the Washington Student Achievement Council and agrees to comply with certain rules.
Summary:

By the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, school districts, private K-12, schools, charter schools, and state-tribal compact schools must make menstrual hygiene products available at no cost in all gender-neutral bathrooms and bathrooms designated for female students located in schools serving students in grades 6–12.  If a school building serving grades 6–12 does not have a gender-neutral bathroom, then the products must also be available in at least one bathroom accessible to male students or in a school health room accessible to all students.  Schools that serve students in grades 3–5 must make menstrual hygiene products available in a school health room or other location as designated by the school principal.  Public and private institutions of higher education must also make these products available.


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

 

The educational entities must bear the cost of supplying these products.  They may seek grants or partner with nonprofit or community-based organizations to fulfill this obligation.
Votes on Final Passage:
House 91 7
Senate 43 5 (Senate amended)
House 85 12 (House concurred)
Effective:

July 25, 2021