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Bill

A 3104

Establishes "Menstrual Hygiene Products Program," appropriates $200,000.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Yvonne Lopez and 7 co-sponsors

Establishes a Menstrual Hygiene Products Program in the Dept of Agriculture to fund grants (up to $10,000/year) for food pantries to buy tampons and pads for low-income residents.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 3104

Overview

bill A-3104 (Session 222, New Jersey) establishes the “Menstrual Hygiene Products Program” within the Department of Agriculture to improve access to menstrual hygiene products for low-income residents. The program is supported by a $200,000 General Fund appropriation and provides grants to food pantries (up to $10,000 per pantry per year) to purchase tampons and sanitary napkins. The department is authorized to coordinate with other state agencies, encourage partnerships with retailers, develop educational materials, and adopt additional rules as needed to implement the program.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a dedicated program to improve access to menstrual hygiene products for low-income residents.
  • Promote coordination among state agencies and community food pantries to ensure availability and distribution.
  • Provide funding to support the procurement of menstrual hygiene products through food pantries.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of the Menstrual Hygiene Products Program under the Department of Agriculture.
  • Definitions:
    • Department: Department of Agriculture.
    • Menstrual hygiene products: tampons and sanitary napkins.
    • Secretary: Secretary of Agriculture.
  • Program requirements (to be developed within six months of enactment, in partnership with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health):
    • Identify participating food pantries and their distribution times on the department’s website.
    • Award annual grants to food pantries for the purchase of menstrual hygiene products.
    • Coordinate and encourage partnerships between food pantries and pharmacies or other retailers to facilitate delivery.
    • Encourage participation in the initiative.
    • Develop educational/informational materials for low-income individuals related to menstrual hygiene and related topics.
    • Adopt rules and regulations as necessary under the Administrative Procedure Act, in consultation with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health.
  • Funding and grants:
    • $200,000 appropriation from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture to support the program.
    • Each food pantry may apply for a grant of up to $10,000 per year.
  • Effective date: Immediate.

Who is affected

  • Low-income residents seeking access to menstrual hygiene products.
  • Food pantries participating in the program, which would receive annual grants to procure products.
  • Department of Agriculture (administrative responsibility for program administration and funding distribution).
  • Partner agencies, including the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services, through collaborative implementation.
  • Retailers (pharmacies and other stores) that may partner with pantries to facilitate product delivery.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Implementation timeline: The department must develop and implement the program within six months after the act’s effective date.
  • Website coordination: The department must post participating food pantries and their distribution times on its website.
  • Administrative process: The department is empowered to adopt additional rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the bill’s provisions, in consultation with relevant departments.
  • Funding cycle: Grants to food pantries are annual, with a maximum per pantry of $10,000 per year.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Positive impact on access to essential menstrual hygiene products for low-income individuals.
  • Requires ongoing administrative oversight to identify pantries, manage grants, and monitor distribution.
  • The scope is limited to grants to food pantries; other access points or broader distribution mechanisms are not specified.
  • The success depends on participating pantries’ ability to utilize grants effectively and on the availability of product supply from retailers through partnerships.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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