Women In Maine Prisons/Jails Must Pay for Feminine Hygiene Products [UPDATE]

I must admit being a male, I have never given this any thought, until it was pointed out to me the other day, but women in Maine's prisons and jails must pay for tampons and pads for their menstrual cycle.

LD 628 working its way through the Legislature would make it state law that Maine’s prisons no longer charge for these basic necessities. The Federal Bureau of Prisons announced in 2017 that “all persons in their facilities would be guaranteed free menstrual products and tampons

Purchases of these essential healthcare items must come from their commissary accounts.

While we are on this subject, why are these items taxed in the grocery store? LD 286, "An Act To Provide a Sales Tax Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products" is working its way through the Legislature

Note - I was told by the Jail Administrator of the Hancock County Jail that they provide these feminine hygiene products at no charge. They also provide toothpaste, toothbrush, single use razor, shaving cream, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toilet paper and other hygiene products at no charge to inmates.

source - Maine Beacon