Requires each public institution of higher education to develop menstrual equity plan.
Summary
Assembly Bill 4723 requires the president of each public institution of higher education in New Jersey to develop a menstrual equity plan for the campus. The plan must assess current access to menstrual products, identify needs and best practices, estimate how many students and others need free products, identify distribution locations, estimate costs, and set a timeline for implementation. The bill allows institutions to use an existing Campus Hunger Task Force, create a new task force, or otherwise establish an initiative to develop the plan.
The bill sets deadlines for action: a comprehensive plan must be established within six months of the act’s effective date, and full implementation must occur within 12 months. Once completed, the plan must be forwarded to the institution’s governing body and then to the Governor and Legislature. The bill defines “menstrual equity” as equal and comprehensive access to menstrual hygiene products that removes barriers to care and reduces stigma around menstruation.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would create a new planning and implementation mandate for every public college and university in New Jersey, requiring institutional leadership to evaluate and improve access to menstrual products on campus. It would not itself appropriate funding or directly require a specific distribution model, but it would compel institutions to develop costed, time-bound plans and could lead to expanded free product access in restrooms, student centers, health offices, and other campus locations. The measure would affect public institutions of higher education, their presidents and governing boards, and potentially existing campus hunger or student support initiatives.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears supportive and policy-oriented, with the bill framed as a practical access and equity measure rather than a controversial mandate. The sponsor’s approach emphasizes planning, flexibility, and institution-specific implementation, suggesting an effort to make the requirement workable for campuses of different sizes and needs. No opposition or formal vote record is provided in the materials.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are likely to be implementation costs, administrative burden, and whether the state should require all public institutions to produce and execute a menstrual equity plan on a fixed timeline. Some institutions may question the expense of free product distribution and the staffing needed to assess needs and carry out the plan, while supporters would likely argue that menstrual products are a basic necessity and that access barriers justify the requirement. Because the bill leaves many details to each institution, debate may also arise over how much discretion campuses should have in choosing distribution methods and funding sources.
Requires public institutions of higher education to provide menstrual products in all campus buildings; appropriates $85,000 from General Fund to Office of Secretary of Higher Education.