SACRAMENTO — Assemblyman Juan Alanis today joined Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez, fellow legislators, and farmworkers at the State Capitol to highlight AB 2082, the Rural Farmworker Women’s Health Act of 2026, a measure aimed at expanding access to menstrual products in rural and agricultural communities. Under the bill, the California Department of Public Health would be required, beginning July 1, 2027, to establish a program working with local nonprofit organizations that serve farmworker communities to provide free menstrual products, with priority given to communities facing the highest poverty rates.
The event featured women working in agriculture who spoke about the challenges of long workdays in remote areas where access to stores, health services, and basic hygiene products can be limited. AB 2082 was introduced by Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez and has been referred to the Assembly Health Committee.
“California’s farmworkers are essential, yet many still lack access to basic health care resources,” said Assemblyman Alanis. “No one should have to go without something as fundamental as menstrual products.”
Alanis attended the rally in support of raising awareness around the health and dignity needs of women working in California agriculture. Supporters of the bill say the measure addresses a basic gap in access for farmworkers in rural communities and would help connect women with essential hygiene products through trusted local nonprofit partners.
Watch the livestream of the press conference here. View photos here.
