HOUSE BILL 21

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Andrea Romero and Joy Garratt

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; REQUIRING PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE FREE FEMALE SANITARY PRODUCTS; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] FREE FEMALE SANITARY PRODUCTS.--

          A. All public elementary, middle, junior high, secondary and high schools in the state shall provide free female sanitary products in the school restrooms. Such products shall be provided at no charge to students.

          B. For the purpose of this section, "female sanitary product" means a sanitary pad or tampon."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATIONS.--

          A. The following amounts are appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal year 2020 for the following purposes:

                (1) four hundred twenty-two thousand five hundred nine dollars ($422,509) for the purchase and installation of feminine hygiene product dispensers in public schools statewide; and

                (2) three million nine hundred eighty-nine thousand six hundred forty-nine dollars ($3,989,649) for the purchase and distribution of feminine hygiene products to public schools statewide.

          B. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2020 shall revert to the general fund.

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