Graduate School
Boston University School of Public Health

Undergraduate School
Georgetown University

Mentor
Renee Landers, Suffolk University Law School and Rappaport Institute Advisory Board Member

Agency
Office of Rep. Jay Livingstone

Supervisor
Caitlin Duffy, Legislative Aide

Description of Fellowship
During her time in the Office of State Representative Jay Livingstone, Kimberly conducted cost research in support of the I AM. bill (H.1959/S.1274), an act to increase access to disposable menstrual products in Massachusetts public schools, homeless shelters, and prisons. Her final cost analysis report concluded that passing the bill would impact approximately 231,545 potentially menstruating students across 849 schools as well as approximately 10,001 menstruating homeless individuals and 505 menstruating inmates. She projects the associated costs to be about $2,630 to $3,250 per school, $9,600 per shelter, and $47,300 for all state prisons for the first year of implementation. Her recommendation is to view these items as start-up costs, especially in schools looking to install dispensers. In terms of other work products this summer, Kimberly also assisted in editing testimony for the ROE Act (H. 3320/S.1209) hearing and in drafting a bill proposal to address informational gaps and diagnostic delays for young students dealing with painful menstrual disorders, such as endometriosis. Finally, Kimberly helped build membership support for the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition by preparing a list of potential stakeholders for the President of NOW’s Massachusetts Chapter.