Between the mood swings and cramps, getting your period as a teenage girl is stressful enough but the stress is far worse without the necessary period supplies. To help ease some of that stress, teens will have access to free menstrual products under a new law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy.
The law applies to all public schools with students in grades 6 to 12. The products will be placed in at least half of girls’ and gender-neutral bathrooms.
A study from 2021 found that nearly 1 in 4 teenagers throughout the U.S. struggle to afford menstrual products, especially students of color and those from low-income families. Access to menstrual hygiene products helps students focus on learning and prevents unnecessary infections that can cause chronic reproductive health challenges.
“When students can’t access the menstrual products they need for their reproductive health, the potential stress and stigma too often distracts them from their classes or forces them to skip school entirely – leading to social and academic repercussions that no one should have to face,” says Gov. Murphy. “My administration will continue to prioritize the mental and physical health of New Jersey students by taking a holistic approach to supporting their well-being. Promoting menstrual equity in our schools is one crucial component of our ongoing efforts to ensure the success of young people throughout our state and promote equity at every level.”
The state will be responsible for the costs. The legislation also requires the New Jersey Department of Education and the New Jersey Department of Health to periodically assess the program. If the need arises, the program may expand to kids younger than sixth grade.
This legislation builds upon the Murphy Administration’s other efforts to promote menstrual health in New Jersey. In 2019, the administration required menstrual hygiene products to be provided free of charge to female inmates in the state correctional system.
In addition, the Department of Health has created a website to provide residents with information about common menstrual health-related matters.
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