Baltimore proposes bill to place period products in bathrooms for men

City council members in Maryland have taken a significant step towards menstrual equity by introducing a bill that aims to expand access to menstrual products in all city-run bathrooms, including those designated for men. The lead sponsor of the bill, Baltimore Councilman Paris Gray, presented the legislation during the city council’s bi-monthly meeting, emphasizing the importance of providing essential menstrual products to all individuals.

Gray highlighted that access to menstrual products should be considered as fundamental as access to soap or toilet paper. He stressed that menstrual products are a necessity, not a luxury, and the lack of access can lead to undue stress and hardship for many individuals. The bill, if approved, will require all city-owned and leased buildings with public restrooms to provide menstrual products free of charge, regardless of the restroom’s designation.

While the debate over whether feminine hygiene products should be available in men’s restrooms has sparked discussions in various settings like college campuses, Gray firmly believes that menstrual products should be accessible to all individuals, regardless of gender. He noted that the bill simply formalizes what Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration and the Department of General Services have already implemented in many public facilities across the city.

Gray asserted that Baltimore is not merely joining a national movement for menstrual equality but is leading the charge across the country. The city’s proactive approach to ensuring free access to menstrual products sets a precedent for other municipalities to follow suit. If the bill passes, all city-owned and leased buildings in Baltimore with public restrooms will be required to offer menstrual products free of charge, including in men’s restrooms.

In a similar vein, the Long Beach Unified School District in California recently implemented measures to provide menstrual products in schools for students in grades 3 through 12. The district’s commitment to reducing barriers to learning and fostering a supportive environment led to the inclusion of menstrual products in girls’ bathrooms, all-gender bathrooms, and at least one boys’ bathroom.

The “Menstrual Equality for All Act” passed in California in October 2023 mandated that all public schools stocking restrooms with an adequate supply of menstrual products by the start of the 2024-25 school year. The legislation aimed to promote period equity and ensure that students, including transgender boys and nonbinary individuals, have access to necessary products with dignity and discretion.

By prioritizing menstrual equity and advocating for free access to menstrual products, Baltimore and other jurisdictions are taking crucial steps towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals. The push for menstrual equality underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the diverse needs of all community members.