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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a grant program for the provision |
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of menstrual products at public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 38.038 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.038. AVAILABILITY OF MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS: GRANT |
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PROGRAM. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Eligible school district" means a school district |
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in which a qualifying campus is located. |
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(2) "Menstrual products" means tampons and sanitary |
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napkins for use in connection with the menstrual cycle. |
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(3) "Qualifying campus" means a school district campus |
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that: |
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(A) offers a course of instruction for students |
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in one or more grades from grade 5 through grade 12; and |
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(B) receives federal funding under Title I of the |
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Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section |
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6301 et seq.). |
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(b) The commissioner shall establish and administer a |
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program to award grants to eligible school districts to provide |
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menstrual products to female students enrolled at a qualifying |
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campus. |
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(c) Only an eligible school district may apply for and |
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receive a grant under this section. |
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(d) Not later than September 1 of each year, the |
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commissioner shall: |
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(1) certify the total amount of funding available to |
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be awarded under the program for that school year; and |
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(2) from funds appropriated for that purpose, award |
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grants to eligible school districts proportionately based on the |
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total number of female students enrolled in grade 5 through grade 12 |
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at each qualifying campus located in the eligible district. |
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(e) An eligible school district that receives a grant under |
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this section shall make menstrual products available free of charge |
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at each qualifying campus in the district through a female school |
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counselor, female nurse, or female classroom teacher selected by |
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the principal of the qualifying campus. |
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(f) The legislature may appropriate money, and the |
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commissioner may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations |
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from any public or private source, for the purpose of providing |
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grants under the program. |
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(g) The commissioner shall adopt rules and procedures to |
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administer the program established under this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |