Maryland Dems push for taxpayer-funded tampons in men’s bathrooms

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) — As Maryland faces a billion-dollar deficit and mounting questions over government oversight, state lawmakers are advancing a bill that would require tampons and other menstrual products in all public restrooms, including men’s rooms.

The proposal, introduced by 17 House Democrats, has sparked debate in Annapolis over priorities, cost transparency and how taxpayer dollars should be spent as lawmakers race toward the end of the legislative session.

ALSO READ | Gas tax holiday, other GOP-backed ideas rejected as budget plan moves in House

House Bill 0941 requires that public restrooms “provide an adequate supply of certain hygiene products,” which includes “appropriately sized tampons, sanitary napkins, and sanitary pads for use in connection with the menstrual cycle.” The bill made it to the floor of the chamber last week, when Del. Ken Kerr, D-Frederick County, confirmed it would require tampons in men’s rooms.

House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy, R-Frederick County, said Democrats are wasting crucial time that could be spent on addressing serious issues, such as a series of failed audits at agencies, rising costs of living and an exodus of residents leaving for other states.

“Why are we focused on bills about putting tampons in men’s bathrooms throughout the state?” he told Spotlight on Maryland. “We should be focused on making Maryland more affordable. We should be focused on getting to the bottom of some of these very devastating audits that have come out. We should be focused on public safety.”

The bill’s fiscal summary states that it’s “not feasible” to estimate the cost of implementation. The requirements would not apply to schools, and the measure has not yet received a final vote on the House floor.

Del. Kathy Szeliga, R-Baltimore County, said the bill would require tampons in men’s bathrooms in public venues such as the stadium and ballpark used by the Ravens and Orioles.

“It’s really puzzling,” she told Spotlight on Maryland. “I cannot understand why today, when we have this looming deficit and so many things going on in our state, that they would want to focus on feminine hygiene products.”

Spotlight on Maryland reached out to all 17 co-sponsors of the bill with the following questions:

• Why do you want to use taxpayer dollars to pay for tampons in men’s bathrooms?
• Do you think that men can have periods?

Del. Tiffany Alston, D-Prince George’s County, was the only member to respond.

“There are instances when women have to out of necessity use a male designated bathroom there are also many more situations where bathrooms are increasingly becoming unisex,” she told Spotlight on Maryland. “Biological men do not menstruate unless that person was born with both male and female genitalia. There is a growing population of transgender men who do have a menstrual cycle, and transmen often use the male bathroom.”

The Maryland Department of Health did not immediately respond to a question about whether they have data on how many transgender people live in Maryland.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office did not respond to questions about whether he supports the bill and whether he believes men can have periods.

Jeff Trimbath, president of the Maryland Family Institute, said Democrats focus on fringe, unpopular ideas to appease their base.

“This is an absolute distraction from what concerns ordinary Maryland families face, from what children need,” he told Spotlight on Maryland. “Unfortunately, Annapolis elites seem to be in the grip of a radical gender ideology that places one’s psychological views of themselves over and above the normal daily lives of everybody else. This is another instance of Annapolis elites imposing a will that most Marylanders don’t agree with.”

Spotlight on Maryland is a joint venture by The Baltimore Sun, FOX45 News and WJLA in Washington, D.C. Have a news tip? Call 410-467-4670 or emailSpotlightOnMaryland@sbgtv.com. Contact Patrick Hauf atpjhauf@sbgtv.comand @PatrickHauf on X.