Bill Text: NJ A3213 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires school districts to provide menstrual products in all school buildings.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-03-07 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A3213 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A3213-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
Requires school districts to provide menstrual products in all school buildings.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the provision of menstrual products in public schools and supplementing chapter 33 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section, "menstrual products" mean tampons and sanitary napkins for use in connection with the menstrual cycle.
b. A school district shall ensure that students and staff in each school of the district educating students in grades kindergarten through 12, or any combination thereof, have direct access to menstrual products, free of charge, in all women's restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men's restroom.
c. In implementing the provisions of subsection b. of this section, schools shall supply students with a variety of menstrual products to address the individualized needs of students and staff, and shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) tampons and sanitary napkins graded regular through super-plus;
(2) sanitary napkins ranging from ultra-thin to overnight; and
(3) allergy-friendly tampons and sanitary napkins, such as chlorine-free, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free products.
d. The school district shall install, for each school in the district, menstrual product dispensers in all women's restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men's room. The school district shall contract with a vendor who will regularly maintain dispensers and stock them with menstrual products. The types of dispensers may include, but are not limited to:
(1) token-operated dispensers;
(2) dispensers with motion sensors intended to prevent the spread of disease; and
(3) dispensers requiring a personal identification number.
e. Schools shall provide educational pamphlets addressing toxic shock syndrome, menstrual disorders, and proper disposal of tampons and sanitary napkins in all women's restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men's restroom. Schools shall also display, when feasible, posters next to dispensers highlighting proper menstrual hygiene.
f. Any costs incurred by a school district in providing an adequate supply of menstrual products to meet the needs of its students and staff shall be borne by the State.
2. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, shall develop guidelines for school districts regarding the development of educational pamphlets and posters pursuant to subsection e. of section 1 of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the first full school year following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires school districts to ensure that students and staff in schools educating students in grades kindergarten through 12, or any combination thereof, have direct access to menstrual products, free of charge, in all women's restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men's room. Any costs incurred by a school district in complying with the provisions of this bill will be borne by the State. For purposes of this bill, "menstrual products" mean tampons and sanitary napkins for use in connection with the menstrual cycle.
Under the bill, schools are required to supply students and staff with a variety of menstrual products, including tampons and sanitary napkins graded regular through super-plus, sanitary napkins ranging from ultra-thin to overnight, and tampons and sanitary napkins that are allergy-friendly, including chlorine-free, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free menstrual products.
Also under the bill, school districts will be required to install, for each school in the district, menstrual product dispensers in all women's restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men's room. School districts will be required to contract with a vendor who will regularly maintain and stock dispensers. Dispensers may be operated by tokens, motion sensors, or a personal identification number. The bill also requires that schools provide educational pamphlets addressing a variety of topics, including the symptoms of toxic shock syndrome and of menstrual disorders, as well as the proper disposal of tampons and sanitary napkins. Schools will also be required, when feasible, to display posters highlighting proper menstrual hygiene. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, will develop guidelines for school districts regarding the production of educational pamphlets and posters.
While menstruation typically starts around age 12, it is possible in children as early as age eight. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average age of puberty has been getting steadily lower since the early 20th century. This bill would require that elementary schools also provide students with access to menstrual products to address the early age that children may begin menstruation.
