Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2025

This bill aims to end “period poverty” by making menstrual products easier to get and cheaper. It expands free access in everyday places, lets major programs pay for them, and bars state and local sales taxes. “Menstrual products” include pads, tampons, liners, cups or discs, and menstrual underwear.

Key points

• Schools and colleges: K–12 schools can use federal education funds to provide free menstrual products, with the Education Department to define the term within one year. The bill also creates a small grant program to help colleges give out free products on campus, with at least half of grants going to community colleges.
• Prisons and detention: Starting 180 days after enactment, states that receive certain justice grants must certify that incarcerated people and detainees can get menstrual products on demand at no cost, and visitors can’t be turned away for using them; states that don’t certify lose 20% of the next year’s grant. Federal prisons and immigration detention must also provide products for free.
• Health coverage: Medicaid will cover menstrual products beginning one year after enactment; states that need to change their laws get extra time.
• Help for people with low incomes and those experiencing homelessness: Emergency Food and Shelter funds may be used to provide menstrual products. The Social Services Block Grant adds $200 million per year from 2026 through 2029 so states and nonprofits can buy and distribute products; getting this help will not reduce other benefits. The bill also sets aside $10 million per year, starting in 2026, for grants that help families in need buy menstrual products.
• Workplaces and federal buildings: Employers with 100 or more employees must provide menstrual products free to workers, and federal public buildings must stock them in restrooms at no charge.
• Taxes: States and cities may not charge sales tax on menstrual products; this takes effect 120 days after enactment.