Menstrual Equity for All Act

The Act helps reduce student absences and supports students who menstruate to stay engaged during class without worrying about finding or affording menstrual products while at school.

At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, all California public schools teaching any grade 3-12 were required to follow the Act.

As a part of the Menstrual Equity for All Act, schools must provide menstrual products, including pads and tampons.

As of the 2024-25 school year, all of the school sites that serve students in grades 3-12 are participating.

Free pads and tampons can be found in all girls’ restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one boy’s restroom. School staff will inform students where they can find menstrual supplies.

If your student finds an empty product dispenser or no products at all, please have them notify a staff member.

Schools must have a notice in each restroom informing students of the free menstrual products available and give a staff member's contact information to ensure the restrooms are filled with supplies at all times.

San Juan Unified offers an educational program that follows the California Healthy Youth Act, the Health Education Content Standards for California Public Schools and the California Health Education Framework.

• Sexual health lessons are offered in fifth grade at the elementary level, as part of science classes in grade 7 or 8, and in health classes in high school. Each school decides when to give these lessons during the year.
• Students in special education programs also receive a modified version of this instruction at the same grade levels.

These lessons include information about the menstrual cycle, such as: How periods work, how to manage pain and hygiene, common period problems and more.

Before these sexual health lessons are taught, families will get a letter from the school. Families can look at the lesson materials before they are shared with students. Families can request a digital preview by completing the form attached to their student’s grade level.

If a family does not want their student to take part in sexual health lessons, they must let the school know in writing. Non-sexual health instructional content will be provided in an alternative location.