Arkansas Period Poverty Project
An Act to Exempt Feminine Hygiene Products and Diapers from Sales and Use Tax
The Arkansas Period Poverty Project has proposed a ballot initiative to exempt feminine hygiene products and diapers (both child and adult) from sales and use tax in the state, effective January 1, 2025. The measure defines “feminine hygiene products” as tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, sanitary napkins, and similar items used for menstrual hygiene. “Diapers” are defined as absorbent garments worn by those unable to control their bladder or bowel movements.
This citizen-led initiative aims to address period poverty and diaper need, significant issues in Arkansas where 26% of children, 19% of women, and 12% of seniors live in poverty. One in four students misses school due to lack of period products, while one in two families struggles to afford diapers. Not having adequate access leads to using products longer than recommended or forgoing them entirely, resulting in health issues and medical bills. The Arkansas Period Poverty Project must collect over 72,500 valid signatures from registered voters by July 2024 to get the measure on the November 2024 ballot.
About Arkansas Period Poverty Project
Catherine “Katie” Clark, Founder of Arkansas Period Poverty Project community group and Chair of the Ballot Question Committee, has worked hard on period poverty legislation for the past 3 years, attempting to remove the tampon tax in the 2021 and 2023 legislative sessions. She faced a great deal of difficulty educating legislators on the issue of period poverty in Arkansas and the importance of taking action. On September 27th, 2023, the Arkansas Period Poverty Project, submitted a ballot title to the Attorney General to exempt period products and diapers, both child and adult, from sales and use tax in Arkansas. On October 10th, 2023 the Attorney General approved the ballot title. Thus began the journey of collecting over 72,500 signatures from registered voters in Arkansas by July 2024 to make it on the November 2024 ballot.
The issue of period poverty and diaper need is incredibly important in Arkansas because:
- 26% of children, 19% of women, and 12% of seniors are living in poverty in Arkansas.
- 1 in 4 students miss school because they don’t have access to enough period products, putting them up to 145 days behind their male peers.
- 1 in 2 families struggle to afford diapers for their children, having to spend roughly $800 on infant diapers in the first year of life for one child.
- Not having access to enough period products or diapers means using products for longer than recommended or not using products at all, which leads to urogynecological conditions and medical bills.
- Catherine “Katie” Clark, Chair: Founder of the Arkansas Period Poverty Project
- Shannie Jackson, Treasurer: Leader of the Arkansas Period Poverty Project
- Amber Jackson: Co-Chair of the Fayetteville Menstrual Dignity Program
- April Roy: Founder and CEO of femPAQ
- League of Women Voters of Arkansas