Allows for SNAP benefits to be used to purchase menstrual products

Latest action Jan 7, 2026

Allows for SNAP benefits to be used to purchase menstrual products including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons and panty liners.

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Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A8246, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Social Services Law.

Committee

Social Services · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Social Services · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Allows for SNAP benefits to be used to purchase menstrual products

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 6, 2025Result: passed
(53) (0) (0) (10)
Vote: Committee vote · Rules
Senate RulesMay 29, 2025Result: passed
(20) (0) (0) (1)

Cosponsors

Charles Fall, Jeremy Cooney and 8 more on Agora

Democratic9
Republican1

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

Menstruation is a basic biological function that more than half the population experiences each month for approximately 40 years. Many people who menstruate have reported missing days of work or school or being late as a result of unexpected menstruation or an inability to access menstrual products. Under previous laws to advance menstrual equity, New York State enacted requirements for schools, correctional facilities, and temporary shel- ters in New York State to provide free menstrual products. However, too many people still lack access to period products. The federal Coronavi- rus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allowed menstrual products to be paid for with pre-tax dollars using a Flexible Savings Account or Health Savings Account, but expired with the end of the public health emergency. To address the ongoing need, this bill directs the State to seek federal approval to allow use of federal supplemental nutritional assistance program (SNAP) funds to pay for menstrual products.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Assembly
Jun 6, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Jun 6, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate

Show full history (5 earlier events)

Jun 6, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Assembly
May 29, 2025
In committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
May 29, 2025
Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1502
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1502
NY Senate
May 5, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Assembly
Apr 9, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 3, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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