BILL NUMBER: S9586

SPONSOR: CHU
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to providing free
menstrual products in the restrooms of private universities

 
PURPOSE:

This legislation will ensure that students at private universities have
access to free menstrual products

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one amends the public health law by adding a new section 267-b.

Section two establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

              

New York State has been at the forefront of the menstrual equity move-
ment, expanding access to menstrual products for all who need them. In
2016. New York State passed legislation to remove the sales tax formerly
imposed on menstrual products. In 2018, the Legislature passed, and the
governor signed into law a bill requiring free menstrual products to be
available in public school bathrooms for students in grades 6 through
12, and the law was expanded to cover students in private schools in
2023. Making menstrual products free and widely available in school
bathrooms removes the stigma that menstruation is shameful or unhygienic
and ensures that students will not miss instructional time because of a
lack of access to menstrual products.

This legislation will expand access to menstrual products for university
students, as is already law for public and private middle and high
schools and will further ensure menstrual equity in our state.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.   
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.