D.C.-area women might soon pay less for certain items at the drugstore.
The D.C. Council has approved a bill to eliminate the "tampon tax" that residents have to pay for feminine hygiene products, child and adult diapers and similar items.
D.C. will join five states that have removed the sales tax on tampons once Mayor Muriel Bowser approves the legislation and it is approved by Congress. Several other states have gotten rid of taxes on diapers.
“Women, babies, and persons with disabilities who need these products should not be taxed for natural bodily functions,” D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds said in a news release Wednesday. “This legislation will especially help low to moderate income mothers manage these costly expenses.”
Items that are already exempt from taxes in the District include pacemakers, wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs and prescription drugs, including erectile-dysfunction drugs.
The council also approved a measure on rent control, which would "only allow conditional rent increases when the housing provider proves they are losing money on the rental property."
