Bill > A05420

This bill amends the New York social services law to expand the requirement for providers of temporary shelter to provide free menstrual products to individuals. The bill specifically adds drop-in centers, intake shelters, and emergency congregate housing to the list of facilities that must offer an adequate number of menstrual products like sanitary napkins, tampons, and panty liners at no cost to those who need them. The bill provides detailed definitions for these newly included facilities: a drop-in center is defined as a facility providing services like meals, showers, and employment referrals to single adults (but not overnight housing); an intake center is where individuals or families apply for shelter; and emergency congregate housing refers to locations where individuals and families reside for more than 96 continuous hours in a shared living environment, with the exception of facilities operated directly by the department of social services. This legislation aims to ensure that people experiencing homelessness or in temporary housing have access to essential menstrual hygiene products, recognizing them as a necessary basic need.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5420