Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Meng
Introduced
Summary
This bill would establish broad, federal support for free access to menstrual products, centering on _universal free access to menstrual products_ in schools, public settings, and social programs. It sets definitions, funding lines, and new requirements across education, health, corrections, workplaces, and tax rules to reduce period poverty and improve access.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More help buying period products
This bill would fund grants so TANF agencies can help eligible families buy menstrual products, with $10 million each year starting in FY2026 and evaluations every two years. Emergency Food and Shelter funds could also be used to buy and distribute these products. It would add $200 million each year for FY2026–FY2029 through Social Services Block Grants to buy and give out pads, tampons, liners, cups or discs, and menstrual underwear via nonprofits. Getting these items under this program would not count against other federal needs‑based benefits.
Medicaid would cover period products
If enacted, Medicaid would cover menstrual products like pads, tampons, liners, cups or discs, and menstrual underwear. Coverage would begin in the first calendar quarter that starts one year after enactment. States that need new state laws would get extra time as allowed in the bill.
Large employers must offer free period products
Employers with 100 or more employees would have to provide menstrual products free to workers. The Labor Department would write rules to carry this out. Covered items include pads, tampons, liners, cups or discs, and menstrual underwear.
Free period products in jails and detention
DHS would have to give menstrual products at no cost to people it detains, including in private facilities. The Bureau of Prisons would have to provide enough products free to federal prisoners, including those in state or private facilities, with rules set by the Attorney General. Starting 180 days after enactment, states getting JAG funds would need to certify free, on‑demand access in jails and that visitors are not turned away for using menstrual products. If a state fails to certify, its next‑year JAG grant would be cut by 20%, and those funds would be reallocated to compliant states.
Free period products in schools and colleges
K–12 schools would have to provide free menstrual products to students who use them. The Education Department, with HHS, would set product rules within one year. Colleges could win grants to provide free products, with at least four awards and at least half to community colleges. The bill authorizes $5 million for the college program.
No state sales tax on period products
States and local governments would be barred from charging a sales tax on menstrual products. The ban would start 120 days after enactment.
Free period products in federal restrooms
Federal agencies and the Architect of the Capitol would need to stock free menstrual products in public building restrooms. This would apply to covered public buildings that are open to the public.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Meng
NY • D
Cosponsors
Balint
VT • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Beatty
OH • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Brown
OH • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Brownley
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Casten
IL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Chu
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Crockett
TX • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Dingell
MI • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Doggett
TX • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Escobar
TX • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Evans (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Foushee
NC • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Garcia (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Garcia (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Goldman (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Gomez
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Gottheimer
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Green, Al (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Hayes
CT • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Jacobs
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Jayapal
WA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Kelly (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Latimer
NY • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Lee (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Lieu
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Lynch
MA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
McGarvey
KY • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
McIver
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Meeks
NY • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Menendez
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Morelle
NY • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Moulton
MA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Mrvan
IN • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Mullin
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Nadler
NY • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Pocan
WI • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Quigley
IL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Ramirez
IL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Scanlon
PA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Sewell
AL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Strickland
WA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Tokuda
HI • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Tonko
NY • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Torres (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Vargas
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Wasserman Schultz
FL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Watson Coleman
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Sherrill
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Clarke (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 6/6/2025
Velazquez
NY • D
Sponsored 6/25/2025
Tlaib
MI • D
Sponsored 6/25/2025
Frankel, Lois
FL • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Matsui
CA • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Deluzio
PA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Keating
MA • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Bell
MO • D
Sponsored 9/11/2025
Williams (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Trahan
MA • D
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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