NJ Schools Must Provide Free Tampons For Students Under New Law

NEW JERSEY — It’s a familiar situation for many youth in New Jersey: missing school because they can’t afford – or access – menstrual products such as tampons or pads. But this dilemma may become a problem of the past under a new law, its supporters say.

On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill that will require all public schools serving any grade from six to 12 to offer free menstrual products to their students. The products must be available in at least half of all the school’s female and gender-neutral bathrooms.

“As a high school student myself, I could not be more enthused about this bill's passage,” said Rachel Glantzberg, PERIOD.'s New Jersey community organizer.

“The passage of S1221/A1349 will undoubtedly be one step closer to supporting menstruators in New Jersey schools,” Glantzberg said. “But more importantly, it is a step towards lessening the inequities borne by menstruators. It is a step towards equality.”

The state will reimburse school districts for the cost. When the bill was first introduced last year, the Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimated that it would lead to a $4.7 million to $13 million increase in state expenditures in the first full school year following enactment and a $2.7 million to $11 million increase in state expenditures in each subsequent year.

Based on data from the 2020-2021 school year, about 1,383 schools across the state will be required to provide free feminine hygiene products in all school bathrooms. The total enrollment of students in grades 6 through 12 in these schools came to about 724,800, the OLS stated.

The legislation also requires the New Jersey Departments of Education, in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Health, to routinely assess whether the provision of these products is “meeting the needs of menstruating students.” If deemed necessary, the department can then issue a recommendation regarding the expansion of access to free menstrual products in grades below grade six.

Nationwide, the average woman spends about $20 on feminine hygiene products per cycle, adding up to about $18,000 over her lifetime, according to the National Organization of Women.

A study from 2021 found that nearly one in four teenagers throughout the United States struggle to afford menstrual products, especially students of color and those from low-income families.

“When students can’t access the menstrual products they need for their reproductive health, the potential stress and stigma too often distracts them from their classes or forces them to skip school entirely – leading to social and academic repercussions that no one should have to face,” Gov. Murphy said.

“A national study found that more than four in five teens have either missed class themselves or know someone who has missed class time because they did not have access to period products,” Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz said.

“Menstrual hygiene products are a necessity, not a luxury,” Ruiz continued. “When this becomes an obstacle and decisions are made to not attend school, the loss is greater than just the one day. It is about the stigma young girls face around this natural monthly occurrence. This new policy will help to address period poverty and the stigmas around menstruation head on.”

New Jersey is now the 23rd state in the nation to provide menstrual products in schools, Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera said.

“Menstrual products are not a luxury, but a necessity,” Mosquera said. “Providing students with menstrual products is not only the right thing to do, but it is also good public policy that has been proven to lower school absentee rates.”

Other support for the new law came from:

Assemblywomen Carol Murphy – “Too many New Jersey families are put in a position where they have to choose between paying their bills or affording common living expenses such as menstrual hygiene products. With this new law, we are directly addressing persisting gaps in access that have caused New Jersey students to go without essential menstrual hygiene products. By making these products available in our schools free of charge, we are putting our young people first.”

Assemblywoman Angela McKnight – “Right now, there are students in our state and across the country who are missing school because they cannot afford menstrual hygiene products. It’s unacceptable and we must do more. I am proud to have sponsored this legislation that will put free menstrual products in our schools so all of our students, regardless of their family’s income level, will have access to the resources they need to thrive.”

Assemblywoman Shanique Speight – “I am proud of the work we have accomplished and excited to continue raising awareness around period poverty. No one should be forced to go without feminine hygiene products because they can’t afford them. By making it a priority to provide resources for women and girls to rely on, we are giving crucial support to our communities and bridging gaps that prevent New Jerseyans from accessing important menstrual health care.”

Acting Commissioner of Education Angelica Allen-McMillan – “Menstrual hygiene should never hinder a student's ability to fully engage and thrive in the classroom. By providing free access to these essential products, we are not only promoting health and well-being but also erasing a potential source of discomfort and stigma. This step underscores our dedication to fostering an environment where all students can focus on their education without the burden of unmet basic needs. It is a stride towards a more just and inclusive educational experience.”

Acting Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston – “Having supplies for periods or menstrual cycles in our public schools helps to reduce inequities by increasing access to necessary products that may not be readily available to everyone. This initiative will not only provide needed support to many school-aged kids with periods, it can also help normalize periods, help people overcome potential embarrassment or distress from not having what they need, and can support positive self-esteem.”

Anjali Mehrotra, founder of the Equality, Period. NJ coalition – “We are thrilled to have passed an inclusive law with gender neutral language that gives all menstruating students, in New Jersey’s best-in-the-nation public education system, access to period products in their school’s bathrooms. While the ability to access menstrual products primarily affects students in low-income communities, we have heard firsthand accounts of students missing school for lack of access to menstrual products in both low income and affluent districts across the state.”

Elise Joy, Executive Director/Co-Founder of Girls Helping Girls. Period. – “It is critical to education that we de-stigmatize menstruation. This law recognizes that, as a society, we have an obligation to meet basic needs for all students, including those who get periods. We are so proud to have worked with lawmakers to craft a bill that is thoughtful, compassionate, and an example for other states.”

Laurie Kahn, Vice President of Advocacy at National Council of Jewish Women/Essex County – “Making menstrual products available in NJ schools affords all students equal opportunities to learn and study without shame or stigma or lost chances for education.”

Lauren Albrecht, Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Garden State Equality – “This legislation stands as a crucial step within New Jersey's continuous and inclusive endeavor to tackle the diverse factors impacting student attendance.

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