Portland schools to place period products, instructions on their usage, in both girls and boys restrooms

Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed the Menstrual Dignity Act into law in 2021, requiring all schools — elementary, middle, and high schools — to place period products in all bathrooms with instructions on how to use them.

During the 2021-22 school year, the Portland Public School (PPS) board began a phased approach to the legislation by placing free, accessible menstrual products in female and all-gender bathrooms in comprehensive high schools, says a PPS release.

These efforts are being expanded in the 2022-23 school year by placing period products in all bathrooms "in every PPS building where education occurs."

PPS has ordered 500 dispensers to be installed in all elementary and middle school girls’ bathrooms, and more will be installed in remaining bathrooms — "including boys’ restrooms, next year."

"Instructions for how to use tampons and pads will be posted in all bathrooms," PPS wrote in a statement to families.

PPS schools are also required to provide education on puberty that includes menstruation. All k-12 schools are provided basic lessons around the four pillars of "menstruation dignity," including privacy, inclusivity, access, and education.

"This education...is accessible to students of all genders and all abilities," the statement read.