Effective July 1, Louisiana consumers will not pay sales tax on diapers or feminine hygiene products. Critics call such taxes "pink taxes" because these goods are purchased predominantly by women.
In Louisiana, consumers do not pay state sales tax on food or medicine because they are necessities. Rep. Aimee Freeman (D-New Orleans) said that should also apply to feminine products.
"People really are starting to understand that menstruation is not something that you can control, and that women and girls really should have the option to buy these products without a tax," said Freeman.
Freeman said the "pink tax" affects any consumer, regardless of political affiliation.
"It’s a true bipartisan issue," Freeman said, "and of course I had bipartisan support on these bills in making sure they went forward."
The tax exemption has been debated in the legislature since 2017, and in 2020, Freeman was successful in having legislation to allow municipalities the choice to remove the “pink tax.”
Freeman proposed legislation this year for schools to provide feminine products for students, which ultimately failed, but she plans to refile the bill next year.
"I think people aren’t aware that sometimes our girls miss school because of periods and that we do actually have a period poverty issue," said Freeman.
In honor of the "Pink Tax" exemption, for the month of July, the Jr. League of New Orleans is collecting diapers and feminine products to assist low-income families.
