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New Hampshire
NH schools are currently required to provide period products. New bill looks to end that
Period products like tampons and pads are not a luxury, advocacy groups say
One in four people in the U.S. who need menstrual products today struggle to afford them. And more than 20 states still tax period products.
Ariana Triggs and Callie Carmichael, USA TODAY
In 2019, Rochester teen Caroline Dillon spearheaded the passage of a law to mandate New Hampshire schools provide free feminine hygiene products such as pads and tampons to help students without access and to fight the stigma around periods.
But this year, some Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to remove this requirement, saying it goes against the state constitution.
HB 415 sponsor, state Rep. Katy Peternel, R-Wolfeboro, said to the House Education Policy and Administration committee on Wednesday that while she doesn’t “have an issue” with supplying free menstrual products in restrooms, requiring schools to bear the costs of supplying the products is an “unfunded mandate.”
Why are menstrual products mandated in NH schools?
Current New Hampshire law requires all New Hampshire middle and high schools to provide free feminine hygiene products in dispensers in their female and gender neutral bathrooms.
Dillon, who was a senior at Spaulding High School at the time, brought a mock version of the bill to then state Sen. Martha Hennessey, D-Hanover after learning about “period poverty” in school. The term refers to when girls and women miss things like work or learning time because they can’t afford feminine hygiene products.
Dillon said that she knew girls at her school who would stay home or raise their risk of infection by using socks or newspapers if they didn’t have access to period products when on their cycle.
“To think about my classmates being in need and not having the access to something so basic is just awful,” Dillon told Seacoastonline at the time. “I couldn’t really let that go.”
Dillon also wanted to end the stigma and taboo associated with period products. She believed they should be treated like toilet paper, which is already provided to students for another essential bodily function.
“SB 142 will help ensure young women in New Hampshire public schools will have the freedom to learn without disruption — and free of shame or fear of stigma,” former NH Gov. Chris Sununu said when he signed the bill into law.
Why do legislators want to remove this requirement?
Opponents of the law in 2019 said that it would be an unfunded mandated and could burden taxpayers in already cash-strapped school districts.
Peternel and the other Republican sponsors have a similar argument this time around, saying this law goes against the state constitution’s prohibition on mandating “new, expanded or modified programs or responsibilities to any political subdivision” unless fully funded by the state.
Under the law, schools bear the cost of supplying menstrual hygiene products. School districts can also seek grants to meet this obligation.
Rep. Jess Edwards, R-Auburn, another sponsor of the bill, said that the requirement is “offensive” and unnecessary and that schools will continue to provide products without it.
Over 1,700 oppose removing requirement
On Wednesday, all speakers besides the two sponsors opposed the bill. On the New Hampshire legislature’s website, over 1,700 people signed on in opposition to HB 415. In contrast, 23 signed on in support.
At the hearing, seventh-grader Abigail Banner said that not having menstrual products in her private school requires her to make a plan whenever she is on her cycle. She described one time where she had to use toilet paper because she did not have enough time to go back to her locker to retrieve a pad.
“I could ask my friends for help, but since there’s so much taboo and shame when it comes to talking about periods openly, it would require, well, an entire well thought out plan to not get caught by a suspicious teacher,” she said.
Michael Apfelberg, the president of United Way of Nashua, pushed back against the concern about it being an unfunded mandate, saying he thinks the funding involved is minimal and that it’s worth it for the benefits of improved health and wellness for students, minimized stigma, and raised class attendance.
As of December 2024, 28 states have legislation providing free access to menstrual products in schools.
MANCHESTER, NH – A five-run second inning and an eight-run eighth powered the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (27-23) to a Wednesday night win against the Altoona Curve (23-30) at Delta Dental Stadium, 14-3. In the eighth Inning, third baseman Sean Keys, second baseman Cutter Coffey, and catcher Patrick Winkel all
New England Travel
These hikes are full of history, wildlife, and gorgeous views.
Hiking trails are full of history, beauty, and wildlife, but with so many options, it can be hard to choose your next path.
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Car camping is trending this season, according to Hipcamp
The following are 12 great hikes recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), Mass Audubon North Shore, Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC), and the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Massachusetts
Skyline Loop Trail in Blue Hills Reservation in Milton
The 2.64-mile Skyline Loop Trail in the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton gives hikers a taste of the longer, nine-mile Skyline Trail. The loop takes hikers over five hills, including Hancock Hill, which was once the farm of John Hancock of Declaration of Independence fame and the first independent governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
There is a tower built by the Civilian Corp of Engineers during the Great Depression, and hikers can look out over Boston and the Harbor Islands
Cedar Swamp Trail in Douglas State Forest in Douglas
As hikers experience the Cedar Swamp Trail, a .5-mile hike, the environment changes from a typical New England mixed hardwood forest into a cedar swamp as Atlantic white cedar and hemlock trees replace oak, maple, birch, beech, and ash.
“The thick growth of these evergreens allows little light to reach the forest floor,” according to DCR. “Keep an eye out for the unique foliage native to the swamp like sphagnum or ‘peat’ moss, skunk cabbage and cinnamon ferns, as well as the wildlife that calls the swamp home.”
Robert Frost Trail in Mount Holyoke Range State Park in Amherst
Fans of Robert Frost can experience nature through the writer’s eyes on this 4-mile hike on the Robert Frost Trail that honors the iconic poet’s Massachusetts connection. Frost spent part of his life in Massachusetts, teaching English at nearby Amherst College.
Hikers can look for a hidden pool and a fork in the road while exploring the interpretive trail, DCR noted, which is an easy to moderate hike.
Read more about these state park hikes: 3 beautiful hikes at Massachusetts State Parks
Rockery Trail at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield
For a unique, family-friendly hike involving rocks, head to the Rockery Trail at Ispwich River Wildlife Sanctuary, according to the Mass Audubon North Shore.
The 1/2-mile trail, the most popular hike at the sanctuary, includes boardwalks and features a rockery built by Thomas Emerson Proctor in 1905. You can climb the large stone structure and also walk through the little tunnel underneath. The wide easy trail is great for all ages.
Professor Chandler’s Long Walk at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley
Hikers enjoy panoramic views at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, which includes the scenic Professor Chandler’s Long Walk. The .65-mile easy trail takes hikers out into the Great Marsh, the largest salt marsh in New England, and is great for bird watchers.
The trail is named after Professor Alfred D. Chandler, Jr., who donated much of the land.
Woodland Loop at Cedar Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Wenham
The Woodland Loop trail is a universally accessible trail at Cedar Pond Wildlife Sanctuary. The .9-mile trail offers a loop through deciduous and pine forest and opens up to a small meadow at the midpoint.
These All Persons Trails are ADA compliant and include universally accessible interpretive features. Visitors can expect handrails, braille and tactile features, wildlife viewing boardwalks and platforms, audio tour stops, seating, and more, according to Mass Audubon.
Read more about these North Shore trails: 3 beautiful hikes on the North Shore
The Meadow Loop Trail in Great Barrington
Animals lovers will love the accessible half-mile Meadow Loop Trail in the 267-acre Thomas & Palmer Brook Reserve, according to the Berkshire Natural Resources Council. The path, conveniently close to downtown Great Barrington, has excellent wetland and meadow views with benches for resting and taking in the scenery. The trail is also great for beaver watching.
For those who want to keep hiking, the trail connects to the 0.6-mile Woodland Trail and 0.3-mile Whale Rock Trail, both moderate.
Mahanna Cobble Trail in Pittsfield
Those looking for a challenge can tackle the 2.8-mile roundtrip trek on the Mahanna Cobble Trail.
The trail starts at Bosquet Mountain ski area, where hikers climb a beginner-level ski slope before getting into the forest. Hikers are rewarded with views of Kennedy Park, Mass Audobon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, and Yukon Ridge.
Sunset Rock Trail in North Adams
Hikers who tackle the easy 1.6-mile roundtrip Sunset Rock Trail at Hoosic Range Reserve later in the day can take in the Taconic Ridge and Green Mountains and it’s a great place to view the sunset.
For hikers seeking even more great views in the 944-acre reserve, continue on for 3 miles along the Hoosic Range Trail. This trail is considered difficult because of its length, and the 6-mile roundtrip hike is a gradual climb.
Read more about these Berkshires hikes: 3 beautiful hikes in the Berkshires
New Hampshire
Arethusa Falls Trail in Hart’s Location
Hikers on the Arethusa Falls Trail in Crawford Notch State Park are in a for a real treat, according to the Appalachian Mountain Club: New Hampshire’s highest waterfall. It’s a 1.3-mile moderate hike to the near 200-foot waterfall. Once at the waterfall, folks can hike down to the bottom and sit and dip their feet in the water.
The falls were discovered by Edward Tuckerman in 1875, according to visitwhitemountains.com, who named it after a nymph in Greek mythology that turned into a fountain.
Zealand Trail in Bethlehem
Zealand Trail connects to the Appalachian Trail, and hikers get to experience a short section of it before it goes out to Zealand falls. It’s about 2 1/2 miles to the falls.
The Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Maine to Georgia, is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, and the New Hampshire portion offers more miles above the treeline than any other state on the trail, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
There is also an AMC Zealand Falls Hut on the trail, where hikers can stay overnight with a reservation.
Mount Willard Trail in Hart’s Location
Mount Willard’s elevation is 2,865 feet, and the summit is located in Crawford Notch State Park. It is a 1.6-mile moderate hike up to the summit, and hikers follow an old carriage road.
Folks start out at the top of Crawford Notch and hike along forests and along a stream, and there’s a tiny waterfall and an area called the Centennial Pool. Hikers can see the southern end of the Presidential Range, Crawford Notch, Mount Tom, and Mount Willey.
Read more about these hikes in the White Mountains: 3 beautiful hikes in the White Mountains
✨ The Dip is coming back to the park!
They had you dancing last time, and they’re back to do it again. Seattle’s seven-piece soul and R&B powerhouse The Dip brings a three-piece horn section, deep grooves, and a #1 Billboard R&B album’s worth of heat to the Wilcox Main Stage. This is the kind of band that makes you want to stay out way past your bedtime.
THE DIP in The River House Concert Series on the Wilcox Main Stage
📍 Prescott Park Arts Festival, Portsmouth NH
📅 Wednesday, July 1 at 7PM
🫶 Recommended Donation
No reservations required to attend, but grab one and have your spot waiting for you!
Prescott Park Arts Festival
07:00 PM – 11:59 PM on Wed, 1 Jul 2026
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