Bill Text: NJ S2886 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes program covering menstrual hygiene products under WIC and SNAP.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-06-20 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [S2886 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S2886-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH PENNACCHIO
District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes program covering menstrual hygiene products under WIC and SNAP.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning menstrual hygiene products and supplementing P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding any State law or regulation to the contrary, there is established in the Department of Human Services a program to provide menstrual hygiene products to eligible menstruators under the federal WIC program and the SNAP program, in accordance with parameters set forth by the Commissioner of Human Services.
b. Menstrual hygiene products shall be provided, with no cost-sharing requirement, to eligible menstruators upon confirmation of eligibility by presentation of a valid federal WIC program or SNAP program card to any participating WIC or SNAP vendor.
c. The Commissioner of Human Services shall apply for such federal waivers as are necessary to implement the provisions of this section and to continue to secure federal financial participation for the federal WIC program and the SNAP program.
d. As used in this section:
"Federal WIC program" means the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, established pursuant to the federal "Child Nutrition Act of 1966," Pub.L.89-642 (42 U.S.C. s.1771 et seq.).
"Menstrual hygiene products" means tampons, menstrual cups, or sanitary napkins used to collect or absorb menstrual fluids.
"SNAP" means the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, established pursuant to the federal "Food and Nutrition Act of 2008," Pub.L.110-246 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.).
2. The Commissioner of Human Services, pursuant to the "Administrative Procurement Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt such rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately, but shall remain inoperable until the Commissioner of Human Services receives approval for any necessary federal waivers, pursuant to subsection c. of section 1 of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes a program under which the federal WIC program and the SNAP program would provide menstrual hygiene products, free-of-charge, for NJ eligible menstruators through contracted pharmacies and vendors. The bill defines "menstrual hygiene products" as tampons, menstrual cups, and sanitary napkins used to collect menstrual fluids.
Under the bill, menstruators enrolled in the federal WIC program and the SNAP program would receive a supply of menstrual hygiene products, at no cost, by providing a valid federal WIC program or SNAP program card to any participating WIC or SNAP vendor. Vendors that participate in these programs would then submit claims to the department for reimbursement for the menstrual hygiene products furnished to eligible menstruators.
