New Jersey Legislation Introduces Excused Absences for Menstrual Disorders
TRENTON, NJ — In a significant step toward addressing period poverty and ensuring educational equity, New Jersey lawmakers have introduced Assembly Bill No. 1974, which mandates that school districts allow up to ten excused absences for students suffering from menstrual disorders. Spearheaded by Assemblywomen Shanique Speight and Shama A. Haider, this legislative proposal is designed to accommodate students grappling with conditions such as dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, menorrhagia, and polycystic ovarian syndrome by acknowledging their absences as state-recognized and excused.
The bill outlines that these absences will not contribute to the criteria defining a student as “chronically absent,” nor will they affect a student’s eligibility for attendance-based awards or recognitions. Furthermore, it stipulates that students must be granted the opportunity to make up any missed schoolwork. Schools may require medical documentation to validate the excused absences, a determination to be made by the district’s superintendent or administrative principal.
An essential component of the bill is the directive for the Commissioner of Education, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Health, to establish criteria for what constitutes an excused absence due to a menstrual disorder. This initiative not only acknowledges the academic impacts of menstrual disorders but also addresses the broader issue of period poverty, which disproportionately affects menstruating students of color and those from low-income backgrounds.
The legislation is rooted in a growing recognition of the prevalence of menstrual disorders and their impact on student attendance and performance. With one in five menstruating students experiencing menorrhagia and nearly 70% suffering from dysmenorrhea, the negative effects on classroom concentration and performance are significant. Alarmingly, about one-third of menstruating students have missed at least one day of school due to menstruation, underscoring the necessity of this bill.