SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) to require homeless shelters to prioritize the purchase of feminine hygiene products for all who need them passed the Senate Tuesday.

“This seems like a small issue, but it is really a question of dignity,” Belt said. “Ensuring that people who have already been deprived of so much can count on these essential products is a kindness that costs very little.”

The measure prioritizes providing feminine hygiene products at all homeless shelters to people who need them at no cost.

According to a recent NBC report, feminine hygiene products, such as tampons and pads, are some of the least donated items for homeless people in this country, despite being a highly requested item.

“People have been forced to find other items to use in place of these hygiene products,” Belt said. “That’s undignified at best and potentially harmful to their health at worst, and we should do something about it.”

On average, the United States spends more than $2 billion on feminine hygiene products each year. Purchasing these products can become a significant financial burden, especially for people with children, who make up 60% of the female homeless population in the United States.

Belt is also urging people to donate these types of products to their local homeless shelters.

House Bill 310 passed the Senate with a vote of 56-1.