Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal today announced the passage of a measure (A.7555) to exempt feminine hygiene products from sales and use tax.

Speaker Heastie said, "In passing this measure, New York will join other states that have acknowledged the inequity of taxing these essential health items and alleviate this cost burden for thousands of women here in our state."

"The tax on feminine hygiene products represents a gender-based tax on women and their bodies," said Assemblymember Rosenthal. "With today's unanimous Assembly vote, we are one step closer to righting this wrong in New York by axing the tampon tax."

Every month, thousands of women incur the expense of purchasing feminine hygiene products that enable them to continue their normal social and professional activities. The taxation of these medically necessary items while other similar, yet non-gender specific products receive an exemption from sales tax for their medicinal uses, has placed a significant burden on women over the course of their lives.

Additionally, for low-income individuals and families, the total impact of these costs over time has proven to be substantial. This bill would provide women of all ages with more affordable access to these essential health products.