Should Tampons Be Free in Public Schools, Buildings? Patch Poll

Women and girls know this: That moment when your period hits and you don’t have the exact amount of money to buy sanitary products is humiliating and awful.

State Rep. Sarah Roberts, D-St. Clair Shores, has come up with an idea to spare them the mortification. She argues tampons and sanitary napkins are a basic health-care need and should be available at no charge in restrooms in Michigan’s public schools and state buildings.

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"Women and girls who are caught off guard when their period starts shouldn't have to worry about exact change or how to find a feminine hygiene product,” Roberts said in a news release announcing House Bill 5426 and House Bill 5427.

Some schools do offer free feminine hygiene products, Roberts said, but students have to ask a staff member — sometimes numerous people.

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In other schools, teachers and other staff members purchase tampons and sanitary napkins with their own money for girls who can’t afford them or who may not have hygiene products with them when their period starts.

“It has been reported that some girls are afraid to tell their parents when they need money for tampons or pads because they know the impact it will have on their ability to buy other things their family needs,” Roberts said.

“My legislation simply makes these products readily available for those who need them, and I hope my colleagues will support these bills so we can quickly move them to the governor’s desk for his signature.”

Roberts didn’t say how program would be funded.