Santa Cruz schools to widely stock menstrual products in schools

SANTA CRUZ — In 2022, Santa Cruz students won’t have to worry about carrying around period products when they’re menstruating.

This month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 367, or the Menstrual Equity Act of 2021, guaranteeing that public schools serving academics from sixth through 12th grades and undergraduate students would be required to up their free offerings.

“California recognizes that access to menstrual products is a basic human right and is vital for ensuring the health, dignity and full participation of all Californians in public life,” AB367, which Los Angeles Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia authored, says in its text.

Existing law mandates that establishments stock 50% of the school’s restrooms with hygiene products, but AB 367 makes schools stock all women’s and agender restrooms as well as one men’s restroom with the same products at no cost to students.

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is ready to serve its middle and high school students by complying with the bill in the coming school year.

“The Santa Cruz County Office of Education applauds Governor Newsom for signing AB 367, legislation requiring schools to offer free and convenient access to essential hygiene products. All Santa Cruz County school districts are aware of the new requirement and are working to implement it,” the county’s education spokesman, Nick Ibarra, said.

Because the state cannot legally mandate private universities to provide such services, only community colleges and the California State University are required to place menstrual products throughout their campuses. There is a strong recommendation, however, for institutions such as the University of California to follow suit.

“UC Santa Cruz is looking to voluntarily comply,” said University Representative Scott Hernandez-Jason.

Tampons, pads and other menstrual products will be placed in men’s, women’s and nonbinary bathrooms to accommodate not just girls and women but also transgender men, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people. Prioritizing them is important, the now-law mentions, because of inequities in accessing affordable hygiene kits.

This is in line with the actions of Cabrillo College administrators, who have already stocked one restroom at the Aptos campus with menstrual products and infant care items such as diapers.

“In addition, we have what we call resource spots or cubbies on both campuses that contain supplies for students. These include packaged food, school supplies, personal hygiene products like bath soap and toothbrushes but it also contains menstrual products,” said Terrence Willett, Cabrillo dean of Research, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness.

Generally, decision-makers have been working with students to rethink their facilities and make them more meaningful for individuals from all walks of life.

“We are being equity-minded in both the way that we teach and the way that we provide support services,” Willett said. “We are making sure that all members of the community see themselves represented, whether it be in our curriculum or our employees who we hire or our events we put on and it’s part of the zeitgeist, right now, of policy and practice.”