ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND WOMEN'S AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2318

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 13, 2024

      The Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2318.

      This bill requires the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property (director) in the Department of the Treasury to review all State purchasing arrangements, contracts, and initiatives, and consider options to maximize the State’s bargaining power with regard to menstrual products, which may include recommending appropriate statutory, administrative, or executive actions as may be necessary to reduce the cost of purchasing menstrual products to State programs and entities.

      The bill further provides that the director will, at the request of a State department, division, office, or agency, advertise for and award a contract for the purchase of menstrual products.  This contract will be available for use by all executive branch entities and cooperative purchasing participants. 

      The bill additionally permits, at the director’s discretion, a non-profit entity to purchase menstrual products under any contract awarded for the purchase of menstrual products on behalf of the State by the director, subject to any rules established by the director.  The director may establish limitations with respect to the menstrual products available for purchase and impose other appropriate conditions as deemed necessary to protect the State’s purchasing interests.  A non-profit entity that purchases menstrual products under such contracts will file reports as the director may require setting forth the expenditures on the contracts.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.