By email on Thursday, a California school district informed parents that menstruation supplies will be available in girls’ restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one boys’ restroom in all public schools with students in grades 3 through 12.
Previously, California law mandated that all public schools teaching grades 6–12 do the same way; however, this directive has been expanded to include schools teaching grades 3–5.
According to an alleged email issued to parents, guardians, and caregivers by the Long Beach Unified School District, the system is “committed to reducing barriers to learning and fostering a supportive environment for all students.”
In order to “ensure that any student who menstruates-including transgender boys and nonbinary students-can access these necessary products with dignity and discretion,” period products are available in the restrooms for girls and at least one for guys, according to the email.
According to Long Beach USD, dispensers are “currently being installed in restrooms across our school sites.” They appealed for patience. Additionally, it urged parents to talk to their kids about the “appropriate and safe” use of period products.
Menstrual products will be installed in boys bathrooms down to as low as 3rd grade in Long Beach Unified School District due to California state law. https://t.co/7erMkqwAnw
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 21, 2025
The message ended by saying, “Thank you for your support in fostering a healthy, equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students.”
The amendments have to be implemented by the beginning of the 2024–2025 academic year, according to the “Menstrual Equality for All Act,” which was passed in October 2023.
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After the law was approved, the state’s education code was amended to include the following text:
“On or before the start of the 2024–25 school year, a public school, including a school operated by a school district, county office of education, or charter school, maintaining any combination of classes from grades 3 to 12, inclusive, shall stock the school’s restrooms at all times with an adequate supply of menstrual products, available and accessible, free of cost, in all women’s restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men’s restroom.”
The term “menstrual products” was defined in the bill as pads and tampons that are intended “for use in connection with the menstrual cycle.”
In addition, the measure stated that the intention of the state government is “to promote period equity through adequate access to menstrual products in schools also serving grades 3 to 5, inclusive.”
