The Karnataka government is preparing to introduce the Karnataka Women Wellbeing Leave Bill, 2025, to extend menstrual leave to female students and transgender persons, official sources said.

The move follows the government’s recent decision to grant one day of paid menstrual leave per month to all working women.

According to the draft bill, a “menstruating person” includes girls, women and transgender persons. The proposal may be placed before the assembly during the ongoing session after cabinet approval.

The bill provides one day of paid leave per month for menstruating persons in government and private establishments covered under the act. For students, it proposes up to two days of leave per month and a 2 per cent attendance relaxation for menstrual-related issues, with a cap of 12 leave days per year.

The draft also allows work-from-home options where available for those who choose not to take leave.

The legislation proposes setting up the Karnataka Women Wellbeing Authority, chaired by the head of the Karnataka State Commission for Women in an ex-officio capacity, to oversee implementation.

Penalties of up to Rs 5,000 per contravention are proposed for intentionally denying leave, discriminating against a menstruating person or treating them as untouchable, sources said.

Last month, the government issued an order granting one day of paid menstrual leave per month to working women aged 18 to 52 in permanent, contractual and outsourced roles. The leave, extended to government-sector employees on December 2, does not require a medical certificate and must be recorded separately from other leave.

Inputs from PTI

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