Tampon Taxes A Step Closer To Being A Thing Of The Past In California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The California Senate is backing legislation to repeal the sales tax on tampons and other feminine hygiene products.

The Senate approved the measure in a 38-0 vote on Thursday. AB1561 returns to the Assembly, which has already approved it but must agree to changes made in the Senate.

The proposal by Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia of Bell Gardens would exempt tampons, pads, menstrual cups and menstrual sponges from the state's 7.5 percent sales tax.

Supporters say the tax unfairly burdens women who have little choice but to purchase the products.

Feminine hygiene products are already excluded from sales taxes in five other states.

Canada decided last year to scrap tampon taxes. In March, the European Union gave the United Kingdom and other member nations the go-ahead to do the same.