Hawaii mandates free period products in schools

Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D) signed a new law this week requiring public schools in the state to offer free menstrual products to all students.

📝 More deets... The measure is expected to cost state taxpayers roughly $1 million per year once it goes into effect on July 1.

• A recent study carried out by nonprofit Mai Movement Hawaii discovered that eight out of 10 local students faced difficulties getting period products.
• Other nationally-focused research has found millions of impoverished Americans are forced to choose between menstrual products and food each month.

🌎 Zoom out: Hawaii is now one of six states to mandate free menstrual products in public schools, joining California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland and Vermont.

• On a global scale, Scotland recently became the first nation in the world to make period products free of charge to all who need them; the measure, which passed unanimously, is expected to cost around $32 million per year (or ~$6 per resident).