HB 1219

For the 2025-2026 school year and each school year thereafter, this bill requires the department of health to establish and administer a pilot program for the placement of hygiene vending machines in women's restrooms or locker rooms in each eligible sch ool selected to participate in the program that dispenses feminine hygiene products to students at no cost to the student. The department must select no less than two eligible schools from each grand division of this state to receive a hygiene vending ma ch ine that dispenses feminine hygiene products to students at no cost to the student. As used in this bill, an "eligible school"" means a public school in this state in which any combination of grades 5-12 are taught; that has received Title I schoolwide de signation; and that is operated by an LEA, by this state with public funds, or pursuant to a charter agreement. In selecting eligible schools to participate in the program, this bill requires the department to prioritize and select eligible schools with the highest percentage of students who are economically disadvantaged, which means homeless, foster, runaway, or migrant students or students eligible for free or reduced-price school meals or milk through the direct certification eligibility guidelines established pursuant to federal law. The principal of each school selected to participate in the pilot program m us t determine the appropriate location or placement in the principal's school for a hygiene vending machine. This bill requires the department to supply each eligible school selected to participate in the program with a hygiene vending machine that dispenses feminine hygiene products to students at no cost to the student, as well as the feminine hygiene product s required to supply each hygiene vending machine placed in the eligible school for purposes of the program. The department may work with state or local health departments, nonprofit organizations, churches, and other organizations or entities to source hy giene vending machines, as well as the feminine hygiene products required to supply hygiene vending machines, placed in eligible schools for purposes of the program, and may collect donations of funds or items to assist the department in complying with th e requirements of this bill. This bill encourages the department to work with the governor's office of faith-based and community initiatives to maximize the resources and funding opportunities that may be available to support or expand the program. Additionally, each eligible schoo l selected to participate in the program is encouraged to examine the LEA's coordinated school health plan in an effort to maximize the resources, education, and guidance available to support the needs of students who are enrolled in an eligible school th at is participating in the program. ON FEBRUARY 9, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 587, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 changes the number the department must select from each grand division to receive a hygiene vending machine from no less than two eligible schools to one eligible school, and changes the effective school year from 2025-2026 to 2026-2027."