Story by Miranda Carpenter, Contributing writer
Public universities in Kentucky would be required to provide free feminine hygiene products for students if House Bill 85 passes.
State Rep. Attica Scott (D) and State Sen. Julie Raque Adams (R) developed the idea for HB 85. Over a dozen co-sponsors are also behind the bill.
Scott said she is very excited because it shows there are legislators in Kentucky who understand this is an important issue for young women on college campuses.
“There are women in higher education who miss class because they are on their period and don’t necessarily have the money to buy feminine hygiene items they need,” Scott said.
Universities would primarily be responsible for covering the cost of these items. Scott said there will be an opportunity to look at the budget in 2020 to see if universities could have assistance to help alleviate some of the cost.
“I will be reaching out to the various university presidents to discuss what it would look like on their campus if the bill passes,” Scott said. “I want to make sure they are part of the conversation as well.”
Olivia Bailey, senior from Mount Vernon, Illinois, said she supports the bill and hopes to see it implemented on campuses.
“I love this idea,” Bailey said. “Not only could they be kept in bathrooms, but maybe female RAs could keep some for the girls in dorms who either can’t afford feminine products of their own or ran out before they had a chance to go to the store and purchase more.”
Murray State already provides multiple options if students need feminine hygiene products.
Students can pick up these items from the food/hygiene pantry. The University currently has a program called “Racers Helping Racers” which provides feminine hygiene products and food items for free. Students who find themselves unable to afford necessities can bring their Racer ID and pick items from the pantry, located in Blackburn Science Building Room 244.
To help restock the pantry, Murray State Parking has given faculty, staff and students the option to participate in a program called “Pay it Forward” to eliminate eligible parking citation fees.
“Parking Services has included feminine hygiene products as one donation option for the ‘Pay It Forward’ program if the parking citations received is eligible,’” Francie Ray, parking manager, said.
Students can also get free feminine hygiene products from the Women’s Center., located on the first floor of Oakley Applied Science. Products have been donated and purchased with the Center’s budget.
“We received many items through a promotional program that Playtex ran a couple of years ago,” Abigail Cox, coordinator of the Women’s Center, said. “The University received several cases in the Student Life Office and the Women’s Center was able to get six of those cases—80 boxes in each—and we have three remaining cases.”
Cox said the boxes are available at the front desk. Students don’t have to speak to anyone or fill anything out. They just have to stop by and pick up a box.
Kristen Farley, senior from Murray, also started a non-profit organization called Clutch which provides free hygiene items to local schools.
“I love this bill,” Farley said. “Instead of focusing on their monthly woes, women will be able to focus on their education. I hope they are across campus and directly in bathrooms for easy access.”