Maryland Lawmaker Proposes Bill on Sanitary Products in Restrooms
A Democratic lawmaker from Maryland has put forward a bill that would somewhat obscure the lines between genders by mandating that men’s public restrooms be equipped with tampons.
According to House Bill 941 (HB 941) introduced by Ken Carr, the legislation requires that “public restrooms in public buildings” maintain sufficient supplies of specific sanitary items, including appropriately sized tampons.
The bill elaborates on the definition of “menstrual hygiene products,” which encompasses tampons, sanitary napkins, and pads suitable for menstrual use.
It states that “every public restroom in each public building” should be stocked with essential items like toilet paper, hand soap, and sanitary products.
Every public restroom should be properly supplied with:
- Hand soap.
- Toilet paper.
- Towels or drying equipment.
- Water.
- Waste containers.
- Sanitary products.
During a House session, Representative Kathy Sheriga raised questions regarding the intended size of tampons and whether they should be available in both men’s and women’s restrooms. She pointed out specific lines in the bill, asking if there is a standard size for tampons, to which Kerr replied that tampons would be provided, but no particular size is specified.
Scheriga further inquired about the presence of tampons in the men’s restrooms of sports venues like Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles stadiums. Kerr clarified that if it’s a “state-owned building,” there would indeed be a requirement for sanitary products.
When asked if he had thought about an amendment restricting this to women’s restrooms, Kerr stated, “No such amendment has been proposed.”
The bill has generated a mix of responses from Maryland residents. Some expressed confusion or disagreement, while others were more open. One individual noted, “I don’t see a reason for that,” while others, like Susan, felt it wasn’t an issue of concern.
One woman’s reaction was that having tampons available for a partner to retrieve from the men’s room could be quite practical, highlighting the varying perspectives on the matter.
