The full Assembly on Monday advanced eight bills addressing equitable access to essential menstrual health products and education. Assembly Democrats Shanique Speight and Lisa Swain—prime sponsors of several bills in the package—issued the following statements:
“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,” said Assemblywoman Shanique Speight (D-Essex). “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.”
“The legislation advanced today builds on our efforts to eliminate a persisting equity challenge that has left too many residents without access to essential menstrual hygiene products,” said Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D-Bergen, Passaic). “These are absolutely necessary products that should be widely available. With these bills, we are putting critical products and the ability to make informed decisions regarding menstrual health into reach for countless New Jerseyans.”
The following bills were approved by the full Assembly:
| A1685
Quijano/Reynolds-Jackson/Swain/ Jaffer/Speight/ Conaway
|
77-0-1 | Requires ingredients of menstrual products to be listed on package. |
| A1935
Swain/Mukherji/ McKnight
|
76-1 | Establishes “Menstrual Hygiene Products Program,” appropriates $200,000.
|
| A1938
Swain/Mukherji/ McKnight
|
78-0 | Establishes requirements for State to enter into contract for purchase of menstrual products.* |
| A3208
Speight/Timberlake/ Quijano |
77-1 | Requires DHS and DOH to submit federal waivers to cover menstrual products under NJ FamilyCare, SNAP, WIC and establishes State funded benefit if federal waiver is denied; appropriates $2 million for State benefit.*
|
| A3211
Speight/Haider/ Swain
|
77-0 | Establishes “New Jersey Feminine Hygiene Products for the Homeless Act.” |
| A3737
Speight/Swain/ McKnight
|
78-0 | Establishes menstrual health public awareness campaign. |
| AR61
Swain/Mosquera/ McKnight
|
77-0-1 | Urges Congress to provide menstrual hygiene products under Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC programs. |
| AJR-113
Mosquera/ McKnight/Haider |
77-0 | Establishes the last full week of May as “Period Poverty Awareness Week.” |