Provide Period Products

In 2022, The Policy Project created a law that ensures free period products in all public and charter school restrooms across Utah.

See the impact

The Problem

Period poverty, or the lack of access to menstrual products, affects thousands of Utah students. Without the products they need, students miss school, skip extracurricular activities, and feel shame.

1 in 4

of teenagers in the U.S. cannot afford period products at all.

61%

of girls have worn a tampon or pad longer than recommended they didn’t have period products.

84%

of girls have missed school or know someone who has because they didn’t have period products.

Periods shouldn’t stop anyone from learning or thriving—but for far too many students, they do.

The Solution

During the 2022 Utah Legislative Session, The Policy Project passed House Bill 162: Period Products in Schools (Utah Code 53G-4-413), making free period products available in every female and all-gender restroom in Utah public and charter schools.

  • Thousands of community members rallied at the Capitol and sent postcards to legislators, advocating for a cause long overlooked. 

  • The bill gained 39 co-sponsors and received unanimous support from all 104 Utah legislators.

  • Thanks to generous support from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and the Andrus Family Foundation, along with state funding, dispensers were installed and stocked across the state.

For the first time, the word “period” echoed through the Utah State Capitol—positive, hopeful, and impossible to ignore.

The Impact

Since the law went into effect in July 2022:

1,058

schools provide free period products

8,000

school bathrooms are stocked with products.

324,600

students have access to products every year.

Our Impact Report

Real Stories. Real Impact.

  • Student at Juab High School

    “I feel so much relief knowing period products are there if I need them. Coming from someone who’s had to miss school because of their period, having this emergency resource is a huge help.”

  • Student at Cedar High School

    “Period products in the bathrooms have been so helpful. I haven’t had to miss any important exams or classes because of my period.”

  • Student at Riverton High School

    “You have no idea how many times the period products have saved me. There have been days I bled through my pants because I didn’t know I had my period or didn’t have products to take care of it. I’m so grateful for this project—it’s helped multiple people, not just me.”

  • Student at Highland High School

    “It’s awesome that schools are making students feel more comfortable with their periods. It’s an important part of life that we shouldn’t be ashamed of.”

  • Student at Murray High School

    “Although I haven’t had to use the period products at my school, I feel so much relief knowing they’re there in case I need them. Coming from someone who’s had to miss school because of their period, having that emergency resource is really appreciated.”

  • Student at Stansbury High School

    “Access to free period products has allowed so many girls to feel confident attending school during their period and to trust they’ll have what they need.”

Ongoing Support

The Policy Project continues to support the successful implementation of this law by:

  • Partnering with the Utah State Board of Education to ensure school compliance.

  • Providing toolkits for schools, staff, and parents to foster period-positive environments.

  • Expanding access to period products in government buildings, colleges, workplaces, and other public spaces.

Products in State Buildings:

In 2023, Utah became the first state to provide free period products in executive branch buildings. Over 1,600 restrooms now have tampons and pads thanks to Governor Spencer J. Cox’s executive action.

Products in Technical Colleges and Universities: 

1 in 10 college students are unable to afford period products every month. We worked alongside student leaders and administrators at Utah technical colleges, community colleges, and universities to ensure period products are provided in campus bathrooms state-wide.

Our Resources