March 1, 2025 email:

AAUW Iowa Board, branch presidents, and public policy directors from Maureen White, chair AAUW Iowa Periods with Dignity

THIS WEEKEND we need you to take action and to share this information with your members so that they can take action.

Last summer the AAUW Iowa board established a task force to address the issue of period poverty in Iowa. The task force, later named Periods with Dignity, focused on informing members about the issue and working toward passage of legislation to require public school districts to provide period products in schools, with state funding.

Three bills related to this topic were introduced this legislative session: SF 133, HF 333, and HF 543. HF 333 and HF 543 are very similar bills.

HF 543 will be discussed by a House Education Committee subcommittee of Representatives Ryan Weldon (chair) – Republican Polk County, Dan Gehlbach – Republican Dallas County, and Heather Matson – Democrat Polk County at 11:30 on Monday, March 3 in Room 19 at the Capitol.

Take a minute to read HF 543 (it’s short), but basically it requires public school districts to provide period products (pads and tampons) in at least half the bathrooms and includes a provision for an appropriation (July 1, 2025 thru June 30, 2028) for the districts to receive reimbursement from the Department of Education for the actual cost of the products.

We need you to submit comments to the subcommittee in support of the bill. Comments can be short. It’s helpful if you can give reasons for support from your own experience, e.g. as an educator, health care provider, as a donor of products etc. Our message to legislators has focused on causes of period poverty, it’s potential health impacts, how it can affect absenteeism, and the fact that period products are a basic health and hygiene necessity for girls that should be available in bathrooms same as toilet paper, soap, or paper towels. We also stress that this is not a partisan issue. It impacts Republican, Democratic, or no party girls/families in all areas of our state, both rural and urban. It’s important that they keep the appropriation language in the bill.

Here is information for submitting comments ahead of time or to link to the video of the subcommittee meeting.

Comments: to submit a written comment for the subcommittee meeting
(or copy this link for Meeting Public Comments in your browser)
[ https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/meetingPublicComment?meetingID=40273&action=viewCommitteePublicComments ]

Near the middle of that page, click on the blue “Add Comments” to write your remarks.

Meeting video – to watch video of the subcommittee meeting
(or copy this link in your browser) https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/meetings/meetingsListChamber?chamber=H&reqType=SUB%2C&committeeTypeSub=on&bDate=03%2F01%2F2025&eDate=03%2F03%2F2025&chamberID=H
Click on the video camera icon next to Rm 19 to bring up a window with the link to join by video or phone.