Sponsors (33)
The bill reduces period poverty and improves access to menstrual products for low-income people by creating a federally funded distribution program, but it increases federal spending, requires states to allocate SSBG funds (potentially crowding out other services), adds administrative requirements, and is time-limited unless reauthorized.
Low-income menstruating individuals (women and girls) will receive free menstrual products, reducing period poverty and improving hygiene access.
Community organizations and eligible nonprofits will receive dedicated federal funding to run distribution and outreach programs, giving them more stable resources to serve communities.
The program can be integrated with TANF, Medicaid, WIC, CHIP, and home-visiting services, improving reach and access for families already using those programs.
Taxpayers will fund roughly $200 million per year (FY2026–FY2029) plus administrative costs, increasing federal spending.
States must obligate specified SSBG amounts for the program, which could reduce flexible SSBG funding available for other social services and shift state priorities.
Administrative limits and reporting requirements impose compliance costs on nonprofits and states, potentially diverting resources away from direct services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs SSBG funding and Treasury appropriations to provide free menstrual products and outreach to low-income menstruating people via states and eligible nonprofits.
Introduced February 4, 2025 by Sean Casten · Last progress February 4, 2025
Provides dedicated, multi-year funding through the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) to pay for free menstrual products and related outreach for low-income menstruating people. It sets higher SSBG funding levels for FY2025–FY2028, requires states to obligate $200 million yearly to menstrual product programs, and appropriates $200 million per year from the Treasury for FY2026–FY2029 to support purchases, distribution, and community partnerships with eligible nonprofits.