INDIANAPOLIS — A contingency of lawmakers moved to end a tax on tampons throughout the state in Indiana.
New language was added to Senate Bill 256 which would exempt feminine hygiene products from Indiana’s state tax. Those products include tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups or other products "designed for feminine hygiene in connection with the human menstrual cycle."
Indiana is one of 21 states that still has a state tampon tax in place, according to the Alliance for Period Supplies. Twenty-four states removed tampon taxes.
The sales tax percentage the state receives from feminine hygiene products is also one of the highest in the country, at 7%.
Other states have moved in recent years to eliminate taxes on feminine hygiene products in response to criticism that they are essential items or products, and should therefore not be taxed. Most recently, Texas eliminated the tampon tax in the 2023 legislative session.
A handful of Indiana legislators have previously called to repeal the tax on feminine hygiene products in recent years.
RELATED: Indiana Court of Appeals hears arguments over whether near total abortion ban violates RFRA
Sen. Shelli Yoder, D-District 40, called for an elimination of the tampon tax throughout recent legislative sessions, including last year, when she collaborated with Rep. Kyle Walker, R-of Martinsville, to eliminate it statewide. That measure did not pass through the committee stage.
“This is incredible! This year, like last year, I introduced legislation to eliminate the unconstitutional and unjust tax on period products. No person should be blocked from going to work, school and engaging in society because they cannot access an essential health item,” Yoder said in a statement.
Yoder added the tax is an extra burden on families who are already struggling to make ends meet.
Rep. Peggy Mayfield, R-of Martinsville, added the language to Senate Bill 256 with weeks left in Indiana’s legislative session. She did not respond to 13News’ request for comment by publication.
The Senate bill now heads to the House floor.