TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey takes a significant step towards period equity with the recent Senate approval of legislation mandating the establishment of menstrual equity task forces across public universities. Spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, the initiative aims to address and alleviate the challenges students face in accessing menstrual products on college campuses.
Senator Ruiz emphasized the importance of this legislation for students struggling financially and highlighted the broader implications for equity and education continuity. The proposed measure, S-2611, mandates that the presidents of public colleges and universities form a menstrual equity task force. This group will include a diverse set of campus community members, ranging from students and faculty to staff and administration.
Task forces are expected to deliver a comprehensive plan within six months of the bill’s enactment, outlining strategies to achieve menstrual equity. The plan will assess the need for free menstrual products among students, identify optimal distribution locations, estimate costs, and propose a timeline for implementation.
This legislative effort is backed by a 2021 BMC Women’s Health study, revealing that 14% of college students face difficulties in regularly accessing period products. The bill’s passage through the Senate, with a vote of 36-2, marks a pivotal moment in New Jersey’s commitment to ensuring menstrual equity and enhancing the academic environment for students of all backgrounds.