Bill expands menstrual health info in schools

Summary#

A-5675 would amend New Jersey’s existing laws on school access to menstrual products and the state’s menstrual-health awareness campaign. It would expand what the Department of Health (DOH) must provide and require school districts covered by the existing product-access law to post and distribute information. The stated goal is to raise awareness about menstrual disorders and their effects on fertility and maternal health. The bill is introduced and is not law.

  • DOH must include uterine fibroids and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in campaign information, alongside conditions already covered, including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and menstrual toxic shock syndrome.
  • DOH must make information available in print and online to named public and nonprofit organizations, including libraries, health services, shelters, and organizations that provide menstrual products. Information must be in English and Spanish, other languages based on the state’s 10 most prevalent language-access needs, and accessible to people with disabilities.
  • DOH must make educational resources available to school districts that provide students in grades 6 to 12 direct access to menstrual products.
  • Those school districts must post a notice in bathrooms where students can access the products and distribute a written notice to appropriate students. Notices must be in English and Spanish; districts may also use another language spoken by a majority of their students.
  • The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to DOH to prepare and distribute the information and school resources.

What it means for you#

  • Students and school districts: The existing law requires covered districts to provide free menstrual products in at least half of female and gender-neutral bathrooms, where applicable. This bill would add notice and distribution duties for those districts. It does not change who qualifies for product access.
  • People seeking information: The bill would require DOH to make information about the named conditions and toxic shock syndrome available through specified organizations and online. It does not create a medical service or guarantee treatment.
  • DOH: The department would have added duties to prepare and distribute public information and school resources.
  • Taxpayers: The bill would use $500,000 in General Fund money for that work. The bill does not change taxes or fees.

Money#

The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to DOH; no total cost estimate is provided.

  • The money is for preparing and distributing the public information and educational resources.
  • School districts would have to post and distribute notices, but the bill gives no estimate of those costs or a separate amount for districts.
  • Under current law, the State bears school districts’ costs of providing menstrual products. This bill does not change that rule.

What is unclear#

  • The bill does not set deadlines for preparing or distributing the materials, or require reporting on whether people receive or use them.
  • Terms such as “common” disorders and “appropriate students” are not defined.
  • The bill does not specify how DOH will choose materials, languages beyond those required, or the organizations that receive printed information.
  • It does not explain whether the $500,000 will cover all DOH work or whether school districts will receive help with notice costs.
  • The bill does not set a process for assessing whether the expanded campaign improves awareness or access to care.

Case for#

  • The bill would require information about fibroids and PMDD, which are not listed in the existing campaign requirements described in the bill.
  • Providing information through schools, libraries, health services, shelters, and other named organizations could make it available in more settings.
  • Requiring accessible formats and several languages could help more people use the information.
  • School notices could bring information to students where menstrual products are available.

Case against#

  • The bill adds school notice duties but does not estimate their costs or say whether districts will receive funding for them.
  • It sets no deadlines, reporting rules, or measures to show whether the campaign reaches people or improves awareness.
  • Some key terms and the process for choosing and distributing materials are left open, which may lead to different approaches across districts and organizations.