ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[Third Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1221

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 22, 2023

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1221 (3R).

      This bill requires school districts to ensure that students in schools educating students in grades six through 12, or any combination thereof, have direct access to menstrual products in at least 50 percent of female and gender-neutral school bathrooms free of charge.  The bill requires that the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Health, periodically review and assess whether the provision of free menstrual products meets the needs of menstruating students.  If necessary, the department will make recommendations regarding the expansion of access to menstrual products to students in grades below grade six.

      Any costs incurred by a school district in complying with the provisions of this bill will be borne by the State.  For purposes of this bill, “menstrual products” mean tampons and sanitary napkins for use in connection with the menstrual cycle.

As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 1221 (3R) is identical to Assembly Bill No. 1349 (1R) which was reported by the committee on this date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates that this bill would result in a $1.8 million to $3.5 million increase in State expenditures in the first full school year following enactment and a $1.4 million to $2.9 million increase in State expenditures in each subsequent year.  The expenditures would first be incurred by school districts and then reimbursed by the State.  The greater costs in the first year reflect the initial purchase of menstrual product dispensers.

      Based on data from the 2020-2021 school year, approximately 1,383 schools across the State would be required to provide free menstrual products in at least 50 percent of female and gender-neutral school bathrooms, as applicable.  Total enrollment of female students in grades six through 12 in these schools approximated 354,497.