Long Beach Schools Expand Free Menstrual Products Under New Law

In a significant move toward menstrual equity, California public schools are expanding access to free menstrual products for students. Under Assembly Bill 367, known as the Menstrual Equity for All Act, public schools have been required to provide free menstrual products in all women’s restrooms, gender-neutral restrooms and at least one men’s restroom on campuses serving grades 6-12.

With the recent passage of Assembly Bill 230, this requirement now extends to students as young as third grade, ensuring broader access to hygiene products. The Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) announced its plans to implement these changes, aligning with the new mandate for the 2024-25 school year.

This is a California law, so LBUSD is just one of the many districts that has to follow the law. The implementation of putting the hygiene products in the bathrooms has only just recently been brought to parents’ and caregivers’ attention.

In a letter to parents and caregivers on Feb. 20, 2025, the district emphasized its commitment to “learning and fostering a supportive environment for all students.” The letter also highlighted that dispensers are being installed in restrooms across school sites, with a focus on accessibility for all students who menstruate, including transgender boys and nonbinary students.

A parent from a Long Beach elementary school who chose to remain anonymous, has concerns about the new law.

“My son’s inquisitive,” she says. “So, if he were to walk into the restroom and see tampons, he would ask questions and I’m just wondering if he asks a teacher, what their plan is. I don’t want anybody talking to my son about this subject until I’ve talked to him about it – I would like to do it my own way.”

There is no California law that discusses staff being able to assist students in the restrooms. A staff member from a different Long Beach elementary school, who also chose to remain anonymous, said that the only thing they received when it comes to bathroom safety was diaper training since students are not required to be toilet trained in order to start kindergarten.

Also, the staff member said that their school advised them to always have a second adult in the instance of having to go into the restroom to help a student just to “cover yourself” legally.