The Education Department said it will consider whether access to period products should be mandated under Title IX, the federal law that bans sex discrimination in schools.
That’s a reversal from about a month ago, when the agency told USA TODAY it’s not their call whether a federally funded school chooses to provide these supplies.
“The Department is committed to ensuring Title IX addresses the full scope of sex discrimination that occurs in schools,” said Catherine Lhamon, head of the Education Department’s civil rights arm. “We look forward to evaluating all feedback we have received to date regarding our proposed rule issued last June.”
The shift is significant given the recent ramp up in advocacy by students for menstrual equity.
