Requires each public institution of higher education to develop menstrual equity plan.*

S2243 1R

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2243

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Senator M. TERESA RUIZ

District 29 (Essex and Hudson)

Senator ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Timberlake

SYNOPSIS

����� Requires each public
institution of higher education to develop menstrual equity plan.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As reported by the Senate Higher Education Committee
on February 12, 2026, with amendments.

��

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
1
[
convene a menstrual equity task force.� The purpose
of the task force shall be to further advance the institution�s efforts towards
achieving menstrual equity.�� The task force shall review
]

develop a plan for the achievement of menstrual
equity at the institution. The plan shall address
1
the current efforts, needs, and access to menstrual
products on campus and identify best practices towards achieving menstrual
equity.
1
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.
1
�

����� b.��
1
[
Members of the task force shall be appointed by the
president of the institution and shall include a cross-section of campus
stakeholders including, as applicable, representatives of: the student body;
faculty and staff; administration; student housing; athletics; student health
centers; on-campus food pantries or similar resources; and facilities
management.�

����� c.
]
1
No later than six months after the effective date of
this act,
1
[
the task force shall submit to the president
]
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a comprehensive and sustainable plan towards
achieving menstrual equity on campus that is best suited to the needs of the
institution
1
shall be established
1
.� 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
1
[
the task force believes
]
1
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).��

�����
1
[
d.
]

c.
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��� 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
1
[
c.
]

b.
1
of this section.���

�����
1
[
e.
]

d.
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��� 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.

�����
1
[
f. Each task force shall expire 30 days after the
submission of its plan to its governing body.
]
1

���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.��