During the 114th General Assembly on Jan. 14 Tennessee lawmakers were presented with a bill which, if passed, will require high schools across the state to provide feminine hygiene products to students at no charge.

On Jan. 15 lawmakers decided to hold the bill at the desk pending the appointment of standing committees.

Tennessee House Bill 39 (HB 0039) will enact the “Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act” which will require all Tennessee high schools to stock tampons and pads in bathrooms, locker rooms and in school nurses offices. Under the new bill, tampons and pads are to be made available only to students and will not be provided to faculty.

State Representative, Elaine Davis is sponsoring HB 0039 and sponsored a similar bill that was presented in 2024, but was not passed. 

“Menstrual cycles can be unpredictable and every woman knows the awkward feeling of being caught without appropriate period products,” Davis said. “This is a situation our young girls should never have to experience, especially at school. Feminine hygiene products are as essential as toilet paper and are not a luxury. My goal is to bring dignity to these young ladies, keep them healthy, and ensure they can stay in the classroom.”

HB 0039 will amend TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 49 and Title 67 and will not only allow schools to provide period products, but will require them to be available for students.  

“This is a great start to this often overlooked conversation about menstrual health and access to supplies,” Cydney Langford, Aunt Flo Initiative co-founder said. “We’re happy to continue supporting WCHS by helping them stay stocked up on period supplies. School nurses, administration and teachers at all the schools in our community already do a great job of making sure students have the attention and supplies they need.”  

“We would love to see some state funding for schools behind this bill and an expansion to middle and elementary schools because there is a big need at those grade levels, too,” Ashley Gillentine Wright, Aunt Flo Initiative co-founder said. “Over the years, we have had a few school officials report to us that access to free period supplies has allowed students to focus better in class and has helped with attendance.”

The Aunt Flo Initiative is a local civic organization which collects and delivers period products to elementary, middle and high schools. Donations can be made to the Aunt Flo Initiative at Ashley’s Attic, Wink Skincare Studio or Lemon.