Establishes Women's Menstrual Health Program to identify and assist patients with symptoms related to endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.
What changed between versions
The bill was restructured from a standalone act creating new sections to an amendment of P.L.2023, c.240 (C.26:1A-131.1), meaning it now modifies existing 2023 legislation rather than operating independently.
Menstrual toxic shock syndrome was added as a covered condition in the legislative findings, expanding the bill's scope beyond endometriosis and PCOS to include this potentially fatal menstruation-related condition.
The legislative findings were dramatically expanded from a brief statement to detailed subsections (a through t) covering endometriosis prevalence, symptoms, cancer risks, PCOS complications including diabetes and heart disease, and menstrual toxic shock syndrome.
A new obligation was added requiring the Department of Health to establish a public awareness campaign about the effects of menstrual disorders and menstruation-related conditions on fertility and overall maternal health, in addition to the Women's Menstrual Health Program.
The standalone definition of 'endometriosis' in the original Section 1 was removed; that information is now incorporated into the expanded legislative findings within the amended statute.
Minor language change in the program requirements: 'as may be designated by the commissioner' was changed to 'designated by the commissioner,' removing the permissive 'as may be' phrasing and making the commissioner's designation authority more definitive.
