Period PROUD (Providing Resources for Our Underserved and Disadvantaged) Act of 2023

Period PROUD (Providing Resources for Our Underserved and Disadvantaged) Act of 2023

This bill provides additional funding through FY2028 for the Social Services Block Grant to support the provision of menstrual products (e.g., menstrual cups and underwear, sanitary napkins, and tampons) to low-income individuals. (This grant is a flexible funding stream used by states and territories to support a wide range of social services.)

The bill also exempts the additional funds from sequestration. Sequestration is a process of automatic, across-the-board reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.

Bill 118 HR 4475, also known as the Period PROUD (Providing Resources for Our Underserved and Disadvantaged) Act of 2023, aims to address the issue of period poverty in the United States. Period poverty refers to the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, which can have serious consequences for individuals who menstruate, particularly those who are underserved and disadvantaged.

The Period PROUD Act seeks to provide resources and support to ensure that all individuals have access to the menstrual hygiene products they need. The bill includes provisions for the distribution of free menstrual hygiene products in schools, homeless shelters, and prisons. It also calls for the inclusion of menstrual hygiene products in federal programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Additionally, the Period PROUD Act aims to increase education and awareness about menstrual health and hygiene. The bill includes provisions for the development of educational materials and programs to promote menstrual health and destigmatize menstruation. Overall, the Period PROUD Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation that seeks to address the issue of period poverty and ensure that all individuals have access to the menstrual hygiene products and support they need.