Florida House Representative Katie Edwards filed a bill on Tuesday to eliminate the tampon tax.
Following the lead of other states, the bill (HB 63) was introduced to create a tax exemption on feminine hygiene products, which are currently taxed as a luxury item.
“I think any woman will tell you that tampons and pads and other things women use for their period are not luxury items,” said Alyssa Zucker, University of Florida women's studies associate professor. “So they should be treated the way groceries are, as just a daily necessity.”
Tax exemptions on feminine hygiene products have recently passed in New York, Connecticut and Illinois, according to a report by the Council of State Governments.
The Florida bill will be under consideration during the 2017 legislative session, and if passed, the exemptions will start on Jan. 1, 2018.
“I think that people are finally realizing that something like a tampon shouldn’t be taxed whereas maybe 5 years ago they wouldn’t feel the same way,” said Kylie Werk, a Gainesville feminist. “I think that it’s happening at the right time and I hope it continues to pass through the legislature.”