Minnesota legislators are considering a school-restroom mandate that has drawn attention from parents and taxpayers in Southeast Saint Paul.
Alpha News reported that the proposal applies broadly to student restrooms rather than limiting the products to bathrooms designated for female students.
An amendment from Rep. Dean Urdahl would have added the word “female” to the restroom requirement. Urdahl described the proposal as a matter of practicality; the committee did not adopt it.
Sponsor Sandra Feist argued that adding “female” could quickly become outdated as schools adopt gender-neutral facilities. She also maintained that students who are not female may menstruate and should have access without asking staff for products.
Funding would come through a proposed $2-per-student increase in school operating-capital revenue, according to Feist. She said students sometimes miss class when products are unavailable.
The debate illustrates how statewide education mandates can produce practical questions for individual communities such as Southeast Saint Paul.
Article Source: Alpha News: “DFL legislators want menstrual products in boys’ bathrooms”
