Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, restrooms in Las Cruces Public Schools middle and high schools will feature something new – menstrual care products discreetly available in the stalls. The move follows new legislation in New Mexico that mandates products be made available to students free of charge in each women’s restroom and gender-neutral restroom and at least one men’s restroom in every public middle school, junior high school, secondary and high school. In addition, the law says products will be made available in at least one women’s restroom, gender-neutral restroom and men’s restroom in every public elementary school.
House Bill 134, signed into law earlier this year, was written in part by three Albuquerque Academy seniors who piloted a program to provide free menstrual care products in their school. According to the students, the hope was that by providing free products, students might not have to choose between buying menstrual care or other necessities.
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, in 2021, 35 percent of children in New Mexico had parents who lacked secure employment and 24 percent were living in poverty. In Doña Ana County, the number of students living in poverty is closer to 40 percent. Across the United States, one in four teens have had to miss class due to a lack of period supplies, according to the Alliance for Period Supplies.
“As educators, we have an obligation to remove barriers to our students’ education and well-being,” said Dr. Fred Montalvo, Executive Director of Operations for LCPS. “When students have access to everything they need, they are able to fully engage in the classroom. This is the inclusive learning environment we strive for at LCPS.”
Montalvo worked with LD Supply, a local distributor, to place Egal products in restrooms. Egal offers a unique solution with pads on a roll, packaged conveniently and easily accessible through dispensers similar to those used for toilet paper. This innovative approach eliminated the need for vending machines or coins, making menstrual products readily available to students. Custodial staff with LCPS will restock replacement products to ensure the district meets the needs of students.
Funding for this program is provided by the New Mexico Public Education Department.
###