Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill

# Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill Scotland's Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill addresses period poverty and the barriers faced by people who menstruate who cannot afford menstrual products. Research had demonstrated that some people, particularly young people and those on low incomes, struggle to afford sanitary products, leading them to use unsuitable alternatives or to miss school and work. The bill recognises menstruation as a public health issue and seeks to ensure that cost is not a barrier to accessing the products needed for menstrual hygiene and dignity. The bill's key provision requires councils and education providers to make period products available for free to anyone who needs them. It places a duty on local authorities to make a range of products accessible through designated public places, schools, and other venues, without requiring people to purchase or justify their need. The bill also gives Scottish Ministers powers to set regulations around how products should be provided and to specify which products should be included. This Member's Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament in November 2020 and received Royal Assent in November 2020, making Scotland the first country in the world to introduce such a legal requirement for free provision of period products.

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