California school district installs tampon dispensers in 3rd grade boys’ bathrooms

California law previously mandated that all public schools teaching grades 6 to 12 include period products in both girls' and boys' bathrooms; however, this directive has been expanded to include schools teaching grades 3 to 5.

According to an email sent to parents and guardians from the Long Beach Unified School District, dispensers are "currently being installed in restrooms across our school sites." The school administration asked for patience and said period products would be available in boys' and girls' bathrooms in order to "ensure that any student who menstruates - including transgender boys and nonbinary students - can access these necessary products with dignity and discretion."

Furthermore, the email stated that the system is "committed to reducing barriers to learning and fostering a supportive environment for all students" and urged parents to discuss the "appropriate and safe" use of period products with their kids.

Under the "Menstrual Equality for All Act," a California state bill passed in October 2023, all public schools offering grades 3 to 12 are required to feature period products in both sex bathrooms.

"On or before the start of the 2024-25 school year, a public school, including a school operating by a school district, county office of education, or charter school, maintaining any combination of classes from grades 3 to 12, inclusive, shall stock the school's restrooms at all times with an adequate supply of menstrual products, available and accessible, free of cost, in all women's restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men's restroom."

The email concluded with a DEI statement, saying, "Thank you for your support in fostering a healthy, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for all students."