Studies say products for women cost more than comparable ones to men.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is expected to sign a bill into law this week to eliminate what's known as the "pink tax."
Lawmakers passed the bill on their final day in session to begin exempting state sales taxes on feminine hygiene products and diapers beginning in 2022.
Democratic state Rep. Aimee Adatto Freeman of New Orleans got her House Bill 7 across the finish line Thursday just hours before the Legislature ended its session.
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"(House Bill 7) faced several last-minute obstacles, but advocates rose to the challenge," Aimee wrote to constituents in an email.
The bill defines feminine hygiene products as “tampons, menstrual pads, sanitary napkins, panty liners, menstrual sponges, and menstrual cups, including disposable and washable versions of these items.”
More: High schooler: America must abolish the tampon tax. Girls, women deserve it.
It defines a diaper as “any absorbent diaper or undergarment used for incontinence in adults and any absorbent diaper or undergarment designed to be worn by a child who cannot yet control bladder or bowel movements.”
"It will mean a lot to the women and children of our state," Freeman said during debate over her bill.
Although Freeman's bill only eliminates the 4.45% state sales taxes, it also gives local taxing authorities the option to eliminate them.
Democrats had tried but failed to advance the bill in previous years.
Freeman's bill will cost the state just over $11 million annually in revenue.
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
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