increasing access to menstrual products
What is the I AM Bill?
An Act to Increase Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Prisons, Homeless Shelters and Public Schools: H.2354/S.2730 (I AM bill). The I AM bill would provide access to free menstrual products to all menstruating individuals in schools, shelters & prisons.
Menstrual products are a necessity – an essential part of caring for personal health for all menstruating individuals. Non-menstruating people go into a bathroom expecting their basic bodily needs will be met (toilet, toilet paper, soap, water etc.) – this is not the case for people who are menstruating.
Our new bill, co-written with our lead sponsors Senator Jehlen, Representative Livingstone and Representative Barber, would ensure access to free menstrual products to all menstruating individuals in prisons, homeless shelters and public schools. The bill also contains language to ensure the products are truly accessible without stigmatizing the individual seeking them.
No one should have to choose between food, a roof over their head, their education, and access to menstrual products.
Public Policy does not address the needs of menstruating people. Massachusetts has the opportunity to change that.
The I AM bill was voted favorably out of the Joint Committee on Public Health in December 2019. Download our Advocacy Toolkit and let your legislators know: we want the I AM bill passed this session!
take action
Legislators need to hear your stories about menstrual access and equity in Massachusetts. Download our Advocacy Toolkit today for state & national research on period poverty, social media graphics to spread the word about the I AM bill and period poverty, and instructions for submitting your period stories and support for the I AM bill to the legislature.
hear us rally!