Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6212
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-30T08:05:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act aims to encourage the donation of menstrual products to nonprofit organizations for distribution to people in need by providing legal protections against liability for donors and recipients of such donations. This addresses barriers to donating usable products, helping to reduce "period poverty" (lack of access to menstrual hygiene items).
Key Provisions
- Liability Protections for Donors: Individuals, manufacturers, or distributors who donate "apparently usable" menstrual products in good faith to nonprofits are shielded from civil (lawsuit-based) or criminal liability related to the product's nature, age, packaging, or condition. These donations must be intended for ultimate distribution to individuals in need.
- Liability Protections for Nonprofits: Nonprofits that receive and distribute such donated products in good faith are similarly protected from civil or criminal liability.
- Exceptions to Protections: The liability shields do not apply if the donor or nonprofit engages in gross negligence (extreme carelessness) or intentional misconduct that causes injury or death to a user or recipient.
- Definitions:
- Menstrual product: Includes sanitary napkins, tampons, liners, menstrual cups, period underwear, and similar items used during menstruation.
- Apparently usable: The product complies with all federal, state, and local quality and labeling standards, even if it is not easily sellable in stores (e.g., due to near-expiration or packaging).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new federal liability limitations specifically for menstrual product donations, modeled after existing "Good Samaritan" laws that protect food donations from lawsuits. Prior to this, there were no targeted federal protections for menstrual product donors, potentially deterring donations due to fear of legal risks. It expands protections beyond food to personal hygiene items, filling a gap in current law.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Increases access to free menstrual products for low-income individuals, homeless people, or those in underserved communities, potentially improving public health and reducing stigma around menstruation.
- On Nonprofits and Businesses: Encourages more donations from manufacturers and individuals by reducing legal risks, allowing nonprofits to distribute products more efficiently without fear of lawsuits.
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, but could indirectly reduce court burdens from related lawsuits and support public health initiatives. No effects on international relations are mentioned or implied.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Donors: Individuals, product manufacturers, and distributors who may now donate surplus or near-expired stock more freely.
- Nonprofit Organizations: Groups focused on health, poverty alleviation, or women's rights that receive and redistribute products.
- Recipients: Individuals in need, particularly women and girls facing economic barriers to menstrual hygiene.
- Legal System: Courts and lawyers handling potential product liability cases.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Establishes a "Good Samaritan"-style immunity for good-faith actions, similar to protections under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (for food). This could lead to fewer lawsuits over product quality but requires proving "good faith" in disputes. The gross negligence exception maintains accountability for reckless behavior.
- Constitutional Implications: None apparent; the bill aligns with Congress's authority to regulate commerce and promote public welfare without infringing on free speech, due process, or other rights.
- Political Implications: Bipartisan sponsorship (from Democrats and Republicans) signals broad support for addressing menstrual equity as a non-partisan public health issue, potentially paving the way for similar protections in other hygiene product areas.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (30)
Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (3 pages)