LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One in four Kentuckians struggle to pay for women's products every month, but a new bill proposed by Kentucky lawmakers could help the financial burden.
State Representative Lisa Willner, represents part of Jefferson County, introduced the bill to lawmakers on Thursday.
The bill, House Bill 148, would eliminate taxes on menstrual products, and it goes a step further -- hoping to provide period products in Kentucky schools.
"There is still a lot of shame and stigma around periods in our culture, and when menstruating students can’t afford period products, or when their families have to choose between food and menstrual supplies, that shame is intensified," Willner said. "That too often results in students missing school, creating a vicious cycle for students in poverty."
Willner said she was helped by 14-year-old Rosie Katz, a Henry Clay High School student.
"High school girls have a lot going on. Trying to find hygiene products shouldn't be another issue we have to deal with," Katz said, sharing her person experiences.
According to Katz, 25% of girls said they missed class because they didn't have access to pads or tampons.
"Most girls feel stressed or embarrassed at school because they don't have access to hygiene products. I’ve experienced this firsthand and have seen my friends and classmates dealing with this," she said. "Period products should be supplied in school bathrooms just like toilet paper is."
Katz raised $1,000 just so her school could provide free tampons to students. Over the summer, Katz reached out to her representative to ask for help.
"Our bill, supported by students across the state, would address period poverty and menstrual injustice by eliminating taxes on menstrual products, and by guaranteeing that every menstruating public middle and high school student has full access to safe and clean period supplies," Rep. Willner said.
Kentucky is one of only 22 states that still taxes the needed products.
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