(Des Moines, Iowa) – A House Education subcommittee unanimously advanced a bill Monday to require school districts provide free feminine hygiene products, like tampons and menstrual pads, in school restrooms. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the bill, House File 543, would provide state funding beginning July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028 for the mandate that these sanitary products be available in at least half of restrooms for students in grades 6 through 12.

Maanya Pandey, a student at the University of Iowa, said she founded the nonprofit Love for Red focused on this subject four years ago because of the struggles she saw caused by the lack of easy access for menstrual products for the people around her. Many students, especially those who do not have the money to purchase period products themselves, leave school in these situations, she said. When this happens multiple days every month, Pandey said “you’re looking at chronic absenteeism, which is linked to higher suspension rates and lower graduation rates.”

Paula Blake, a retired teacher from Johnston, said she strongly supported the bill because it would help students stay in class and would take the burden off of teachers supplying these products using their personal funds. Advocates were almost unanimously in support of the measure. Margaret Buckton, representing the Rural School Advocates of Iowa and Urban Education Network of Iowa said the organizations she represented were registered as “undecided” on the legislation because of concerns about future funding past the June 2028 cutoff.

Rep. Heather Matson, D-Ankeny, said “I don’t know that I’ve been happier to be on a subcommittee this year.” She said she strongly supported the bill’s advancement and noted that House Democrats have also introduced legislation on this subject. Matson highlighted the efforts of Love for Red and students Brianna Taylor and Erika Rosenberg of Sibley-Ocheyedan High School, who alongside school counselor Thresa Ruggles advocated at the Statehouse for free feminine hygiene products in women’s restrooms at schools.

A pilot program headed by Ruggles found a significant reduction in female student absences — counting 100 fewer female student absences over a time period after the school began providing free products to students. Rep. Dan Gehlbach, R-Urbandale, said though he is “not directly affected by this, obviously,” he has two teenage daughters and supported the bill moving forward. He thanked Pandey and other young advocates for their efforts to highlight the issue.

The legislation advanced with all three lawmakers supporting the measure, and will go before the House Education Committee for further consideration.