HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration announced that it has allocated $3 million for the 2025/26 budget to continue providing free period products for hundreds of Pennsylvania school districts.

According to the PA Department of Health, this $3 million investment will specifically be distributed to more than 750 Pennsylvania school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools.

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Funds will be utilized to continue providing free period products for students.

“Free period products in Pennsylvania schools help ensure that more than 650,000 girls have peace of mind — so they can focus on their education,” Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen said. “This is just the latest example of how the Shapiro Administration is ensuring students are prepared to learn without distractions or struggle. We have heard firsthand just how essential this program has become over the last two years, and I am proud Governor Shapiro continues to support its mission.”

The Department of Health says this program has become a vital source of funding for schools in every corner of the Commonwealth by taking one more burden off students’ plates. Furthermore, it is in line with the Shapiro Admin.’s efforts to improve health equity.

“So many of my students have reached out to tell me how much having free supplies readily available for them at school in convenient locations has helped them,” Laura Fields, CSN, a high school nurse in Butler County, said. “Several students who have difficulty getting supplies at home have also spoken to me about how this has helped them personally. At the beginning of this school year, I conducted a Google Survey with students to see what improvements could be made. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Being able to hear from my students how much they appreciate this is amazing.”

Qualifying school entities that enroll in the program receive funding proportional to the total number of students enrolled at a rate of $1.79 per student.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available.

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