Young women all over the state are impacted every month by period poverty - the inability to afford feminine hygiene products. There are thousands of girls in Iowa who have to miss school several days every month because of a lack of provision for these necessities. In fact, they have the potential to miss out on up to 1/6 of their school year, as it is simply impossible for them to be in school if they don't have access to what they need. 

I personally know girls who have gone to the bathroom, found out they had their period, walked to the nurses office, walked back to the bathroom, and by the time they returned to class had missed 30 minutes of their lesson time. This needs to stop. The students in our school system deserve better than that. 23% of girls in America regularly struggle to afford period products. They shouldn't have to be afraid of bleeding through their pants while they are sitting in a middle school or high school classroom.

If the state doesn't begin to provide these products, chronic absenteeism and general discomfort will continue in our school-aged girls. By supporting HF883, schools across the state would be required to make period products available free of charge in their bathrooms. Making this change will change the lives of young women across the state of Iowa. 

Please only sign this petition if you live in the state of Iowa, as our lawmakers wish to see the passions of their personal constituents.