HB 457 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Institutions of Higher Education - Provision of Menstrual Hygiene Products - Requirement

HB 457 requires all Maryland colleges and universities to provide free tampons and pads in every restroom by August 1, 2028. This applies to every public and private institution of higher education in the state, directly affecting students, staff, and faculty who use campus restrooms. The bill mandates that institutions supply size-appropriate products without cost, ensuring accessibility for individuals who menstruate. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026, with full implementation due by the 2028 deadline.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Institutions of Higher Education - Provision of Menstrual Hygiene Products - Requirement → Third - Institutions of Higher Education - Provision of Menstrual Hygiene Products - Requirement · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to narrow its scope, now requiring institutions of higher education to provide free menstrual hygiene products only in restrooms at student health centers, rather than in all restrooms across the campus. Additionally, the requirement now applies only to institutions that provide on-campus housing, limiting the mandate to a specific subset of schools.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was restricted to institutions of higher education that provide on-campus housing, and the location for product distribution was changed from all campus restrooms to restrooms specifically within student health centers.

SCOPE

The requirement to provide menstrual hygiene products now applies only to institutions of higher education that provide on-campus housing, excluding schools without such housing.

REQUIREMENT

The location where free menstrual hygiene products must be provided was changed from all restrooms on campus to restrooms specifically located within student health centers.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

25–10

Passed · 14 other

Total votes 49

Mar 22, 2026

D Democratic36

25 Yea 11

69% Yea

R Republican13

10 Nay 3

76% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 722

executive

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 22, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (25-10-14)

senate

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations

lower

Feb 27, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (107-30-5)

house of delegates

Jan 23, 2026

Committee

First Reading Appropriations and Health

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors