Women who are incarcerated in Virginia will soon have access to free feminine hygiene products.
According to WTVR, Governor Ralph Northam has signed House Bill 83, which requires jails and prisons to provide inmates with free pads and tampons. The law will take effect on July 1.
This bill, which was introduced by Delegate Kaye Kory of Fairfax, received unanimous approval in the Virginia Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee.
The State Board of Corrections will need to create a policy for correctional facilities regarding these products.
The Virginia Department of Corrections and some local jails had already offered pads to inmates for free, but tampons had to be purchased.
The cost of these products will now be included in the department's budget, estimated to cost More than $33,700 for prisons. The cost for jails must still be determined.
The Capital News Service also reports other pieces of legislation that would have removed the sales tax on feminine hygiene products failed to advance in House of Delegates committees.
ultra_amethyst on April 27th, 2018 at 06:10 UTC »
THIS WASN’T ALREADY A THING????
jsalyy on April 27th, 2018 at 06:09 UTC »
This wasn't a thing before??? Sad face.
8livesdown on April 27th, 2018 at 04:25 UTC »
As a taxpayer I'm more than happy to chip in a few extra dollars for tampons.
Virginia spends $25,000 per inmate, and 90% of prisoners are men.