Sec. 4. Menstrual products for students at institutions of higher education
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The purpose of this section is to alleviate— the barriers to academic success faced by many college and graduate students due to the inability of such students to afford to purchase menstrual products; and the unique set of burdens that college and graduate students experiencing period poverty face that can be compounded by lack of access to basic needs such as housing, food, transportation, and access to physical and mental health services. The Secretary of Education shall establish a program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to at least 4 institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )), to— support programs that provide free menstrual products to students; and report on best practices of such programs.
To apply for a grant under this section, an institution of higher education shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate, including an assurance that such grant will be used to carry out the activities described in subsection (e). At least 50 percent of the grants awarded under this section shall be awarded to community colleges. A grant awarded under this section may only be used to— carry out or expand activities that fund programs that support direct provision of free menstrual products to students in appropriate campus locations, including— campus restroom facilities; wellness centers; and on-campus residential buildings; report on best practices of such programs; conduct outreach to students to encourage participation in menstrual equity programs and services; help eligible students apply for and enroll in local, State, and Federal public assistance programs; and coordinate and collaborate with government or community-based organizations to carry out the activities described in paragraphs
(1)through (4). In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize— institutions with Federal Pell Grant enrollment that is at least 25 percent of the total enrollment of such institution; and historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, AsianAmerican and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and other minority serving institutions. In this section, the term menstrual product means an item used by an individual with respect to menstruation which conforms to applicable industry standards, including— a sanitary pad, tampon, or liner; a menstrual cup or disc; and menstrual underwear. There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 out of funds appropriated for a fiscal year to the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education under section 741 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1138 ) to carry out the grant program under this section.
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