By Carlyle Harry
Governor Andrew Cuomo has recently signed off on a Bill that will provide free Feminine Hygiene Products for prison Inmates in New York State.
The Bill was sponsored by New York’s State Senator–Roxanne Persaud.
The Bill 8821-2018, would ensure access to feminine hygiene products for incarcerated women in correctional facilities across New York State, free of charge….Previously, female inmates would often run out of their allotted monthly supplies, and had no choice but to purchase additional ones from the prison commissary.
The passage of this Bill will ensure the eradication of potential unsanitary conditions, which could lead to physical and mental health issues.
Commenting on the implementation of the Bill, Senator Persaud noted, “It is demeaning to make women ration their feminine hygiene products, It is the State’s responsibility to ensure that all of the female inmates within New York’s criminal justice system serve their time in a dignified and safe manner, by guaranteeing that incarcerated women will never have to craft their own hygiene products again. we are ensuringthat inmates can focus on their rehabilitation without struggling for basic needs.”
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 67th district
Senator Persaud continued, “I want to acknowledge and thank my colleague and sponsor of the Assembly version of this legislation, Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, for all her work in helping to make this bill become law.”l
Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal Who had sponsored the Assembly version of the Bill, said, “Menstruation is a basic part of a woman’s biology, and access to menstrual hygiene products is a fundamental health necessity. This legislation is about ensuring that incarcerated individuals have access to an adequate number of menstrual hygiene products, but also to ensure that they are not deprived of their dignity .
Meanwhile, Senator Persaud has just been appointed Chair-Person of the State Senate’s Social-Services Committee by the Senate’s Majority-Leader, Andrea Stewart-Collins.
Senator Persaud was formerly Ranking-Member of the Social-Services Committee.
In expressing her gratitude for that appointment, Senator Persaud undertook to work towards satisfying the socio-economic desires and needs of communities in New York.
At the commencement of the New York Sate Senate’s new session, next year January, Senator Persaud will introduce Bill S 1318 which would provide financial assistance to low-income parents to purchase diapers.
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