Jefferson City (Kassidy Arena) - The Missouri House of Representatives Committee on Children and Families heard a bill Tuesday proposing a sales tax cut on feminine products, which includes tampons, pads, panty liners and cups.
Rep. Jim Neely, R-Cameron sponsored the bill that would decrease the sales tax from 4.2% to 1.2% this October. Currently, the sales tax for menstrual products is more than triple the amount as the sales tax on food and other necessities in Missouri.
Witnesses testified in support of the bill ranging from health professionals to student advocates.
Jennifer Bernstein, the development director for the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) in St. Louis, said the price of feminine products cause student absences. The NCJW runs “Kids Community Closet” which provides resources for students in need.
“Girls are getting their periods at earlier ages and they face barriers to going to school,” Bernstein said. “Not only with lack of winter clothing or hats or gloves, but also because they cannot afford feminine hygiene products and their families cannot afford them and girls are missing schools because of this.”
There were no opposing witnesses to testify at the hearing, but if the bill passed, the state could lose an estimated $2-3 million in general revenue next year. However, the individual costs on women might affect more negatively than the loss of state revenue.
ACLU Policy Director Sara Baker said the higher cost of menstrual products acts as a barrier to equality for women in public spaces such as schools and correctional facilities. For example, when female students cannot afford feminine products, they may miss school for the length of their cycle, which is anywhere from five to eight days.
We think that menstruation equity is key to allowing people who menstruate access to spaces,” Baker said.
According to the ACLU report “The Unequal Price of Periods,” menstruation can cost more than $1000 over a lifetime. If the sales cut were approved, customers would earn a 3 percent discount on every box of tampons, pads, panty liners or cup.