Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is investing another $3 million to provide free period products to students in all of Pennsylvania’s school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools. The funding, secured by Governor Josh Shapiro in the 2025-26 budget, will help close the gap in women’s health care.
Building on last year’s historic investment, the Commonwealth has provided a total of $6 million to buy period products for school students.
“Students should be able to remain focused on their education without having to worry about access to basic hygiene products,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “This continued investment in public health will provide a more positive, and less stressful, school experience for girls and women throughout Pennsylvania.”
“Period products are a basic hygiene necessity. By providing period products in schools, we are giving girls peace of mind and ensuring they can focus on learning when they’re at school,” said First Lady Lori Shapiro. “I am proud that this Administration is taking action for the second year in a row to ensure that girls have access to pads and tampons when they need them."
Funding is proportional to the total number of students enrolled in a school and based on a rate of $1.75 per student. Schools may use the funding for period product purchases made between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Applications and reimbursement requests are not required. Schools should consider privacy, responsiveness, access, and education when developing and implementing strategies to make period products available to their students.
For more information on how the 2025-26 budget will create opportunity for Pennsylvanians, visit pa.gov.
# # #