SCRANTON, PA — Pennsylvania is directing $3 million to provide free menstrual products in schools statewide under the 2026-27 budget, extending an initiative that has received $9 million over three consecutive budgets and is expected to serve more than 650,000 students.
Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen highlighted the funding Thursday during a visit to West Scranton High School, where officials detailed more than $412,000 in allocations for northeastern Pennsylvania schools, including nearly $17,000 for the Scranton School District.
The program provides funding to more than 750 Pennsylvania school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers and brick-and-mortar charter schools to make period products available to students at no cost.
State officials have positioned the spending as an education and attendance initiative as well as a health measure. The Department of Health cited national studies finding that one in four girls struggle to afford period products and 23% have missed class because they lacked access to menstrual hygiene products.
“Not having access to period products should never lead to a missed day of school,” Bogen stated. “When a student is forced to stay home because she lacks basic health essentials, it doesn’t just derail one lesson—it creates a ripple effect that impacts her grades, graduation, and future.”
Northeastern Pennsylvania schools will receive $412,604 through the latest funding round. Lehigh County is receiving the largest allocation in the region at $101,753.22, followed by Luzerne County at $85,549.74 and Northampton County at $81,420.66.
Lackawanna County schools will receive $50,613.59, while Monroe County will receive $42,679.05. The remaining allocations are $14,471.60 for Carbon County, $12,593.29 for Pike County, $11,071.10 for Susquehanna County, $7,301.79 for Wayne County and $5,150.48 for Wyoming County.
Scranton School District Superintendent Dr. Erin Keating described the program as an investment in education and in reducing stigma surrounding menstruation.
“When students know they can access these products for free whenever they need them, it encourages them to not only attend school, but also focus fully on their education rather than the stress that so often accompanies menstruation,” Keating stated.
Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti similarly tied access to school attendance, stating that removing barriers to a student’s ability to attend or remain in school can contribute to longer-term educational and career outcomes.
Funding for qualifying schools is based on enrollment as of October 2025. The state set the 2026-27 allocation at $1.81 per student, an increase from previous years.
Pennsylvania is encouraging schools receiving the money to consider privacy, accessibility, responsiveness and education when distributing the products. The state has also developed guidance for schools implementing the program.
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