The Alliance for Period Supplies is urging nationwide support for new bipartisan legislation designed to expand access to menstrual products and help address period poverty in the United States. The Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act of 2025, introduced by Congresswoman Grace Meng of New York and Congresswoman Celeste Maloy of Utah, would protect companies that donate menstrual supplies—especially tampons—from unnecessary liability. Advocates say the change could significantly increase the availability of essential products for people who struggle to afford them.

A Nationwide Issue Affecting Millions

Period poverty remains a serious and often overlooked challenge across the country. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, two in five people in the U.S. have had difficulty paying for menstrual products. Rising costs and persistent stigmas mean many menstruators are often left without the supplies they need to work, attend school, or participate fully in everyday life. Teenagers and adults alike report going without products or relying on unsafe substitutes such as paper towels or toilet paper, which can pose substantial health risks.

These barriers also contribute to educational and economic inequality. Missing school or work because of a lack of menstrual supplies affects long-term opportunities, mental health, and financial stability. Supporters of the bill say the legislation takes a practical step toward easing these burdens by removing obstacles that discourage product donations.

Why Tampon Donations Lag Behind

One of the core problems the bill aims to fix is the hesitation among manufacturers to donate tampons due to fears of litigation. Tampons, unlike some other menstrual products, can carry additional legal considerations related to absorbency classifications and medical device regulations. Without legal clarity, many companies avoid donating these products altogether, even when they are able and willing to help.

This gap has a significant impact. In surveys of people receiving products from period supply banks, 40 percent reported preferring tampons. Another 10 percent said they exclusively prefer tampons. When donations fail to include them, recipients are often left without the option that works best for their bodies, comfort, and routines.

Bipartisan Support Signals Momentum

Congresswoman Meng emphasized that period poverty is not a partisan issue but a public health and economic one. She noted that menstrual insecurity impacts millions of Americans and can worsen infections, limit participation in school or work, and harm mental well-being. Meng said easing donation restrictions is a simple but powerful way to get more products to more people at no cost to taxpayers.

Congresswoman Maloy echoed this, highlighting how nonprofit organizations rely on donations to meet community needs. By reducing legal risk for donors, she said, the bill strengthens the entire support network that helps women and girls across the country.

The Alliance for Period Supplies has worked directly with lawmakers to draft the legislation and is encouraging the public to ask their representatives to sign on as co-sponsors.

Expanding Menstrual Equity Nationwide

Advocates describe the bill as “common sense,” noting that access to basic menstrual supplies is essential for dignity, health, and full participation in daily life. Increasing donations would allow community supply banks to meet demand more effectively and ensure that recipients can choose the products that best meet their needs.

The Alliance for Period Supplies, launched in 2018 as an initiative of the National Diaper Bank Network, now includes more than 145 Allied Members nationwide. These local partners collect and distribute period products in communities across the country, working to close gaps in access and increase awareness about menstrual equity.

A Call to Action

With bipartisan backing and strong support from advocacy organizations, the Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act represents a promising step toward addressing period poverty in the United States. The Alliance for Period Supplies is encouraging individuals and organizations to contact their members of Congress and urge them to support the legislation. By reducing barriers to product donations, lawmakers hope to ensure that more menstruators can access the supplies they need—safely, consistently, and with dignity.

Source: PR Newswire, Alliance for Period Supplies