New Jersey Assembly Bill A2183

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/13/26

Caption

Requires school districts to provide instruction on menstrual health and hygiene as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

Summary

Assembly Bill 2183 requires every New Jersey school district to include age-appropriate instruction on menstrual health and hygiene for students in grades 4 through 12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The bill defines key terms such as “menstrual disorders,” “menstrual hygiene products,” and “period poverty,” and directs instruction to cover the proper use of menstrual products, possible complications such as Toxic Shock Syndrome, the symptoms and long-term effects of menstrual disorders, the impacts of period poverty, and when to seek medical advice and locate related medical resources. The bill also requires schools to notify parents and guardians before a unit on menstrual health and hygiene begins, including information about the topics to be covered and the relevant standards. It would take effect immediately and apply starting with the first full school year after enactment.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would add a specific menstrual health and hygiene instruction requirement to New Jersey’s school health curriculum framework under Title 18A, chapter 35. School districts would need to incorporate this content into comprehensive health and physical education for grades 4-12, and educators would need to ensure the instruction is age appropriate and aligned with state learning standards. The bill would also create a parental notification obligation before instruction begins, affecting district curriculum planning, communications, and implementation practices.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded opposition, so there is no documented debate in the provided materials. Based on the bill’s sponsor statement and the absence of recorded controversy, the measure appears to be framed as a public health and student wellness initiative intended to improve health literacy and reduce stigma around menstruation. The overall tone of the bill is policy-oriented and educational rather than punitive or regulatory.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided context. Potential areas of debate, however, could include the scope of required health instruction for younger students in grades 4-12, how age-appropriate content would be determined, and whether parental notification is sufficient or whether some stakeholders might seek opt-out provisions. Another possible issue is the inclusion of topics such as menstrual disorders and period poverty, which may raise questions about curriculum breadth, teacher training, and implementation costs at the district level.