House Bill 39, also known as the "Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act," amends Tennessee Code Annotated to ensure that all eligible public schools, including charter schools, provide free feminine hygiene products in designated areas. The bill defines "eligible school" as a public senior high school and specifies that "feminine hygiene products" include items such as tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, and sanitary napkins. The legislation mandates that local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools must make these products available in all women's and girls' bathrooms, locker rooms, and with the school nurse, specifically for student use only.

Additionally, the bill empowers the Department of Education to develop policies and provide guidance to assist LEAs and public charter schools in meeting these requirements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, emphasizing the importance of accessibility to menstrual hygiene products for students in Tennessee.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-417