Tampon Tax (H 7095)

Rhode Island exempts from taxes necessities such as groceries and clothing, along with a litany of inarguably less necessary items such as jewelry display products and promotional literature of boat manufacturers. Meanwhile, products that are necessary for the health and well being of women in Rhode Island are treated, for tax purposes, as luxury items. Legislation sought to change that by exempting feminine hygiene products from the state sales tax. In May, ACLU of Rhode Island testified before the House Finance committee in support of this critical legislation to end this discriminatory practice. The committee failed to move on the bill.