Tim Walz Mandates Free Tampons in Minnesota School Bathrooms

The sponsor of the bill stated that “the vast majority” of period products would be used in girls’ bathrooms, while the law’s text remains gender-neutral to serve all students.

On August 6, Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.

Following the announcement, conservative social media accounts claimed that as governor, Walz signed legislation to place tampons in boys’ bathrooms.

A post from Libs of TikTok, a right-wing social media account, quoted Walz calling Republicans “creepy” and “weird,” alleging he signed laws mandating tampons in boys’ bathrooms. The post included a meme with the term #TamponTim, which trended on X.

Supporters on X, including Hillary Clinton, clarified that the legislation offered free tampons to all students, not exclusively in boys’ bathrooms.

THE QUESTION

Did Tim Walz sign a law requiring Minnesota public schools to provide free tampons in school bathrooms?

THE ANSWER

Yes, Tim Walz signed a law requiring Minnesota public schools to provide free tampons in school bathrooms.

WHAT WE FOUND

In 2023, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz enacted a law mandating public schools provide free tampons and other period products in bathrooms for students from grades 4 to 12. The law does not specify which bathrooms should have these products.

According to Minnesota Statute 121A.212, effective January 1, 2024, schools must offer menstrual products at no charge, accessible to all students. The statute defines “menstrual products” as pads, tampons, or similar items.

The law aims to address “period poverty,” defined by UN Women as the inability to afford menstrual products. Minnesota Democratic state Rep. Sandra Feist, the bill’s chief sponsor, emphasized the law’s goal is to support students who miss school due to lack of menstrual products.

While most products will be utilized in girls’ bathrooms, the bill’s inclusive language ensures that trans and nonbinary students can access these products without stigma.

Rep. Feist mentioned support from trans youth and their networks, revealing the significant impact of this issue on students. Despite opposition and attempts to limit the bill to girls’ bathrooms, the legislation passed and was signed into law on May 24, 2023.

Minnesota joins 28 states and Washington, D.C., in legislating free access to period products in schools. Some states specify the inclusion of male bathrooms, but others, like New York and Virginia, do not specify bathroom locations.

VERIFY reached out to Walz for comments but did not receive a response before publication.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.