HOUSE BILL 134

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Christine Trujillo and Kristina Ortez and Tara L. Lujan and Linda Serrato

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; REQUIRING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN SCHOOL BATHROOMS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.--

          A. Menstrual products shall be provided at no charge to students in:

                (1) each women's bathroom and gender-neutral bathroom and at least one men's bathroom in every public middle school, junior high school, secondary school and high school; and

                (2) at least one women's bathroom, one men's bathroom and one gender-neutral bathroom in every public elementary school.

          B. For the purpose of this section, "menstrual product" means a sanitary pad or tampon."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Three million dollars ($3,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal year 2024 for the purchase and installation of menstrual product dispensers and the purchase and distribution of menstrual products to public schools statewide. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2024 shall revert to the general fund.

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