Bill Summary
The "Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at promoting the donation of menstrual products to nonprofit organizations for distribution to individuals in need. The bill provides legal protections to those who donate these products—including individuals, manufacturers, and distributors—by limiting their liability for any damages that may arise from the condition or packaging of the donated items, as long as the donation is made in good faith. Similarly, nonprofit organizations receiving these donations are also shielded from liability regarding the products' usability, provided they comply with safety regulations. However, this immunity does not extend to cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The legislation defines "menstrual products" broadly, encompassing items such as tampons, pads, and menstrual cups, and emphasizes that donated items should meet applicable quality and labeling standards, even if they are not commercially marketable.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Good Samaritan Menstrual Products Act" could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to Menstrual Products**: By providing a legal framework that encourages the donation of menstrual products to nonprofit organizations, this legislation could help ensure that individuals in need, particularly those from low-income communities, have greater access to necessary menstrual hygiene products. This could reduce the stigma around menstruation and improve the overall health and well-being of those who may otherwise struggle to afford these essential items.
2. **Encouragement for Businesses to Donate**: The limitation of liability for manufacturers and distributors could motivate more companies to donate surplus or near-expiration menstrual products to nonprofits. Knowing they are protected from legal repercussions encourages businesses to contribute to social causes, which can lead to an increase in the availability of menstrual products for those who need them and foster a culture of corporate social responsibility.
3. **Protection for Nonprofits**: Nonprofit organizations that distribute donated menstrual products will benefit from the legal protections offered by this legislation. It alleviates concerns about potential lawsuits arising from the condition or age of donated products, allowing these organizations to focus on their mission of supporting communities in need without fear of legal consequences, as long as they act in good faith. This could lead to a more robust network of services addressing menstrual health issues.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6212 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6212
To encourage the donation of menstrual products to nonprofit
organizations for distribution, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 20, 2025
Ms. Meng (for herself, Ms. Maloy, Ms. Ansari, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Casten,
Ms. Chu, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Deluzio, Mrs. Dingell,
Ms. Escobar, Mr. Frost, Mr. Hernandez, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Mr.
Kennedy of New York, Ms. McBride, Ms. Sewell, Ms. Stansbury, Ms.
Tokuda, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Torres of New York, Ms. Velazquez, and Mrs.
Watson Coleman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To encourage the donation of menstrual products to nonprofit
organizations for distribution, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Good Samaritan Menstrual Products
Act''.
SEC. 2. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES FROM DONATED MENSTRUAL
PRODUCTS.
(a) Liability of Person, Manufacturer, or Distributor.--A person,
manufacturer, or distributor shall not be subject to civil or criminal
liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of
apparently usable menstrual products that the person, manufacturer, or
distributor donates in good faith to a nonprofit organization for
ultimate distribution to individuals in need of such products.
(b) Liability of Nonprofit Organization.--A nonprofit organization
shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the
nature, age, packaging, or condition of apparently usable menstrual
products that the nonprofit organization received as a donation in good
faith from a person, manufacturer, or distributor for ultimate
distribution to individuals in need of such products.
(c) Exception.--Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to an act or
omission of a person, manufacturer, distributor, or nonprofit
organization, as applicable, constituting gross negligence or
intentional misconduct that results in injury to or death of a user or
recipient of the menstrual product.
SEC. 3. DEFINITION.
In this Act:
(1) The term ``menstrual product'' means a sanitary napkin,
tampon, liner, cup, underwear, and any similar item used by an
individual with respect to menstruation.
(2) The term ``apparently usable'' means, with respect to a
product, that the product meets all quality and labeling
standards imposed by Federal, State, and local laws and
regulations even if the product may not be readily marketable.
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