Legislation: Ohio House Bill 272 – Eliminates “Pink Tax”
Bill: House Bill 272 (full text)
Title: Sales tax-exempt tampons/other feminine hygiene products
Sponsors: Representatives Johnson and Sykes
Co-Sponsors: Representatives Antonio, Bishoff, Boyce, Boyd, Clyde, Driehaus, Fedor, Howse, Kuhns, Lepore-Hagan, Phillips, Ramos, Reece, Sheehy, Smith, Sweeney
Bill Analysis: This bill would exempt from the sales tax the purchase of tampons, liners, cups, napkins and other forms of feminine hygiene in connection with the menstrual cycle. According to the bill’s sponsors, the sales tax on essential women’s healthcare items, also known as the “Pink Tax,” disproportionately affects women who already face economic hurdles given Ohio’s gender-based wage gap.
Status: Introduced in the House June 23, 2015. This bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on October 1, 2015. It received a Committee hearing on November 17, 2015.
