Bill > SCR139

Introduced Session

This resolution respectfully urges the President of the United States to expand access to menstrual products in schools throughout the nation. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and provides equal access to education in federally funded schools and programs. Though Title IX does not explicitly reference menstruation, the intent of Title IX is to reduce disparities in educational equity and opportunity on the basis of sex. Title IX can be expanded through interpretation, regulation, and guidance to provide more protections for individuals who menstruate. Period poverty, or the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, waste management, and education, affects many school-aged students. More than half of all high school aged students who menstruate are late to school, have to leave school early, or miss school due to a lack of menstrual products. A low-income student may be forced to resort to alternatives to menstrual products such as toilet paper or forced to extend the length of time the student uses a single menstrual product, which may have negative health consequences including infection and toxic shock syndrome. Expanding Title IX to include free menstrual products in all restrooms may reduce educational disparities on the basis of sex and reduce menstrual-based harassment in schools. . Given that providing access to free menstrual products under Title IX is fundamental to equality, it is altogether fitting and proper for the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to urge the President to expand access to menstrual products in schools throughout the nation as an imperative under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Committee Categories

Teresa Ruiz (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/30/2023)

Official Document