SW New Mexico News

Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, restrooms in Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) middle and high schools will offer menstrual care products discreetly available in stalls. This initiative follows new legislation in New Mexico mandating that these products be made available free of charge to students. The law requires that menstrual products be accessible in each women’s restroom, gender-neutral restroom, and at least one men’s restroom in every public middle school, junior high school, secondary, and high school. Additionally, they must be available in at least one women’s restroom, gender-neutral restroom, and men’s restroom in every public elementary school.

House Bill 134 was signed into law earlier this year. It was partly written by three Albuquerque Academy seniors who piloted a program to provide free menstrual care products at their school. The students hoped that by offering free products, students would not have to choose between buying menstrual care or other necessities.

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 35 percent of children in New Mexico had parents lacking secure employment in 2021, with 24 percent living in poverty. In Doña Ana County, nearly 40 percent of students live in poverty. Across the United States, one in four teens have missed 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 collaborated with LD Supply, a local distributor, to place Egal products in restrooms. Egal offers pads on a roll packaged conveniently and easily accessible through dispensers similar to those used for toilet paper. This approach eliminates the need for vending machines or coins making menstrual products readily available to students. Custodial staff with LCPS will restock replacement products ensuring the district meets student needs.

Funding for this program is provided by the New Mexico Public Education Department.