NJ Would Pay For Free Tampons In Schools Under Proposed Law

NEWARK, NJ — Think that it’s no problem to afford tampons or other menstrual supplies? Tell that to the one in four students who struggle to afford this basic necessity, a New Jersey senator says.

On Monday, a proposed state law took a big step forward when the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee unanimously voted in its favor. The bill, S-1221, now faces a potential vote in the full Senate.

A companion bill, A-1349, has been introduced in the state Assembly and referred to that chamber’s Women and Children Committee.

According to one of its primary sponsors, Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, here’s what the bill would do if it becomes law:

“The bill would require schools teaching grades six through 12 to provide menstrual products free of charge. Under the bill, they would have to be available in at least 50 percent of female and gender neutral bathrooms. Any costs incurred by the school district as a result of the bill would be covered by the state.”

What would this cost taxpayers? According to an estimate:

“The Office of Legislative Services estimates that this bill 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. The expenditures would first be incurred by school districts and then reimbursed by the state. The greater costs in the first year reflect the initial purchase of feminine hygiene product dispensers. Based on data from the 2020-2021 school year, under the bill, approximately 1,383 schools across the state would be required to provide free feminine hygiene products in all school bathrooms. Total enrollment of students in grades 6 through 12 in these schools approximated 724,800.”

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.

“No child should miss valuable class time due to lack of access to menstrual products, yet it is estimated that one in four students nationwide struggle to afford this basic necessity,” Ruiz said. “This legislation will keep students in the classroom by making supplies readily available to those who need them, whether it is a financial issue or they are simply caught off guard.”

“For too long we have treated this natural monthly occurrence as something that should be hidden away or kept private,” the senator added. “It’s time we tear down the stigmas around menstruation and period poverty and find solutions that are fair and common sense.”

Ruiz represents the state’s 29th district, which includes the municipalities of Newark in Essex County, and East Newark and Harrison in Hudson County.

While Monday’s vote was unanimous, the proposed law faced a tougher challenge in May, when the New Jersey Senate Education Committee advanced it by a vote of 3-2. It got yes votes from senators Vin Gopal, Shirley Turner and Sandra Cunningham, each a Democratic Party member. Senators Michael Doherty and Samuel Thompson, both Republicans, voted no.

Doherty offered an explanation of why he voted not to advance the bill, noting that he called for an amendment to clarify it would not require feminine hygiene products to be made available in boys’ bathrooms, which was tabled. Read More: NJ Bill Would Require Schools To Have Free Tampons In Bathrooms

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