Eastern Michigan University has launched a new initiative to provide people who menstruate free organic period products when they need them.

All public restrooms in Ann Arbor, including in bars and restaurants, must offer toilet paper, soap, paper towels, tampons and menstrual pads starting Jan. 1.

Michigan currently imposes a 0.06% sales tax on most goods, including menstrual products. In administering and enforcing the (tampon tax), the (state Treasury) maintains a tax on women.The lawsuit comes as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to negatively financially impact Americans -- particularly, and disproportionately, Michigan women, the plaintiffs argue. According to the complaint, Michigan women comprised 49 percent of the U.S. workforce but accounted for 55 percent of job losses in April amid the pandemic. A bill was introduced to the Michigan Legislature in 2016 regarding ending the tampon tax, but no real change came of it. Some states, including Montana, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania no longer tax menstrual products.