Bill to provide menstrual hygiene products at local jails passes Colorado legislature
Inmates in local lockups across Colorado will have access to free tampons, pads and panty shields if Gov. Jared Polis signs House Bill 1224.
The legislation passed the state Senate 33-0 Friday, after the House passed it 65-0 on March 20.
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver.
> RELATED: Colorado House debates bill to require jails to provide free tampons
“Allowing women in custody to access menstrual hygiene products is a basic and necessary human right,” Winter said in a statement Friday. “I am pleased that the Senate could come together and take this step to prevent negative health outcomes while treating women with dignity and respect.”
The Colorado Department of Corrections already provides menstrual hygiene products at state prisons under a 2017 budget amendment passed by Herod. The new bill would extend that access to city and county jails.
Budget analysts said the costs to local governments would be minimal, and that many jails across the state already provide the products to those in custody.
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