Read the full stored bill text
A4723
ASSEMBLY, No. 4723
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED MARCH 16, 2026
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman� SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
Assemblywoman� CARMEN THERESA MORALES
District 34 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
���� Requires each public institution of higher education
to develop menstrual equity plan.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� As introduced.
��
An Act
concerning menstrual equity at public institutions of higher education.�
����
Be It Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
����� 1.�� a.�
The president of each public institution of higher education shall develop a
plan for the achievement of menstrual equity at the institution. The plan shall
address the current efforts, needs, and access to menstrual products on campus
and identify best practices towards achieving menstrual equity. The president
may direct the Campus Hunger Task Force established pursuant to section 3 of
P.L.2019, c.89 (C.18A:62-62), convene a new task force, or otherwise establish
an initiative to develop the plan.�
����� b.�� No
later than six months after the effective date of this act, a comprehensive and
sustainable plan towards achieving menstrual equity on campus that is best
suited to the needs of the institution shall be established.� The plan shall
include, but shall not be limited to:
����� (1)
an estimate of the number of students and other individuals in need of free
products;
����� (2)
suitable locations for free product distribution;
����� (3)
any other proposals that would advance the goal of menstrual equity on campus;
����� (4)
the projected cost of the plan; and
����� (5)
a timeline for implementation of the plan that ensures full implementation by
the institution within 12 months of the effective date of this act.
����� The
president shall forward the plan to the governing body of the institution,
which shall then forward the plan to the Governor, and to the Legislature
pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1).��
����� c.�� The
president of the institution shall implement the plan within 12 months of the
effective date of this act.�
����� Nothing
in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the institution from taking
action towards menstrual equity in advance of the timeline established pursuant
to paragraph (5) of subsection b. of this section.���
����� d.�� As
used in this act, �menstrual equity� means equal and comprehensive access to
menstrual hygiene products, which both remove barriers to care and reduces
stigma surrounding menstruation.
���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.��
STATEMENT
�����
This bill requires the president of each public
institution of higher education to develop a plan for the achievement of
menstrual equity at the institution. The plan shall address the current
efforts, needs and access to menstrual products on campus and identify best
practices towards achieving menstrual equity. The president may direct the
Campus Hunger Task Force established under current law, convene a new task
force, or otherwise establish an initiative to develop the plan.��
����� The bill requires, no later than six months after the
bill�s effective date, the establishment of a comprehensive and sustainable
plan towards achieving menstrual equity on campus that is best suited to the
needs of the institution.� The plan would include, but need not be limited to:
����� (1) an estimate on the number of students and other
individuals in need of free products;
����� (2) suitable locations for free product distribution;
����� (3) any other proposals that would advance the goal
of menstrual equity on campus;
����� (4) the projected cost of the plan; and
����� (5) a timeline for implementation of the plan.
����� The bill requires the president to forward the plan
to the governing body of the institution, which shall then forward the plan to
the Governor and to the Legislature.
����� Finally, the bill requires the president of the
institution to implement the plan within 12 months of the bill�s effective
date.