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Washington Legislature OKs ‘tampon tax’ exemption bill

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Legislature has approved a measure that would make Washington the 20th state to not tax feminine hygiene products.

The measure passed the House Tuesday on a 95-2 vote and now heads to the governor.

It was unanimously approved by the Senate on Saturday. Once signed by the governor, the new law takes effect July 1.

Under the bill, products that are exempt from sales and use tax include sanitary napkins, tampons, menstrual cups, or any other similar menstrual product.

According to the nonprofit group Period Equity, Washington is currently among 31 states that still tax menstrual products.