Sen. Nice files legislation to make sure students have access to menstrual products

OKLAHOMA CITY – Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia have passed laws to provide free menstrual products in schools. Sen. Nikki Nice, D-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation that would add Oklahoma to that list – a move she said would improve attendance and student success.

“One in four struggles to afford these products, and when students don’t have access to them, they may miss class. It’s stressful and embarrassing. It leads to higher student absenteeism, lower academic performance, and it can even cause some students to drop out,” Nice said. “States that have enacted laws providing these products saw improved attendance, and that’s important for our efforts to help Oklahoma students succeed.”

Senate Bill 219 would require schools to make menstrual products available at no cost in public schools. The measure would become effective July 1 of this year.

“We provide basic hygiene items like toilet paper and soap in our schools. Menstrual products are also hygiene products and they’re just as much a necessity as soap, water and toilet paper,” Nice said. “This is just common-sense legislation for a more positive impact for our students.”

SB 219 can be considered when the 2025 legislative session formally begins in February.

– END –

For more information, contact:  Sen. Nikki Nice at 405-521-5531 or Nikki.Nice@oksenate.gov