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Bill > HF543
IA HF543
IA HF543A bill for an act providing for access to feminine hygiene products in public school restrooms and making an appropriation.(See HF 883.)
summary
Introduced
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill requires school boards to ensure that feminine hygiene products can be accessed by students without cost in at least half of the restrooms in school buildings in the district where students in grades 6 through 12 are educated and that the supply of feminine hygiene products is refilled regularly. The bill defines “feminine hygiene products” as sanitary napkins, tampons, or other similar items used for feminine hygiene. The bill appropriates an amount necessary to fund the full cost of compliance with the bill by school districts from the general fund of the state to the department of education for the period beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028. The bill directs the department to establish processes for school districts to submit the documented cost of compliance to the department and for the department to reimburse school districts for such costs. The bill may include a state mandate as defined in Code section 25B.3. The bill requires that the state cost of any state mandate included in the bill be paid by a school district from funds appropriated by the bill, and, for school years beginning on or after July 1, 2028, from state school foundation aid received by the school district under Code section 257.16. The specification is deemed to constitute state compliance with any state mandate funding-related requirements of Code section 25B.2. The inclusion of this specification is intended to reinstate the requirement of political subdivisions to comply with any state mandates included in the bill.
AI Summary
This bill requires school districts to provide free feminine hygiene products (such as sanitary napkins and tampons) in at least half of the restrooms in school buildings serving students in grades 6 through 12. The bill appropriates state funds to cover the full cost of implementing this requirement from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, with the state department of education responsible for reimbursing school districts for their compliance costs. School districts will need to submit documented expenses on a quarterly, trimester, or semester basis, and the department may create administrative rules to manage this process. After July 1, 2028, schools will be expected to fund the continued provision of these products through their state school foundation aid. The bill is designed to ensure that students have free and easy access to necessary feminine hygiene products during the school day, removing potential financial barriers and helping students manage their personal health needs without additional cost or embarrassment.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 883. (on 03/07/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF543 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF543.html |
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