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1 Findings and Purpose. The general court finds that:
I. Many children are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to suboptimal sunscreen use and high rates of sunburning, and therefore at risk of excessive UV exposure which could lead to skin cancer development. It is a high priority to ensure that children can use sunscreen and sun-protective clothing when outdoors.
II. News outlets have reported that some schools do not allow children to bring or use sunscreen without a prescription due to "medication bans" and fears of legal ramifications.
III. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that school policies that prohibit hats or student possession of sunscreen can create barriers to the use of important sun protection methods.
IV. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends educating children, adolescents, and young adults on the dangers of sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
V. It is in public interest that schools set policies that include education on sun exposure and encourage our youth to use sun protection, including sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
2 New Subdivision; Pupil Use of Sunscreen for Skin Cancer Prevention. Amend RSA 200 by inserting after section 47 the following new subdivision:
Pupil Use of Sunscreen for Skin Cancer Prevention
200:47-a Application.
I. A pupil may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while on school property or at a school-sponsored event or activity without a physician's note or prescription if the product is regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.
II. Any pupil who is unable to self-apply sunscreen in accordance with this section may have assistance provided in applying a topical sunscreen product. This assistance shall be provided by appropriate school personnel only with the permission of a pupil's parent or guardian.
III. School personnel shall not be held liable in a criminal action or for civil damages for application of a topical sunscreen product if the topical sunscreen product is available to and used by the pupil in accordance with this section.
IV. Each school shall allow for outdoor use articles of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats and sunglasses. Schools may set a policy related to the type of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats, and sunglasses that will be allowed to be used outdoors pursuant to paragraph IV. Specific clothing, hats and sunglasses, determined by school personnel to be inappropriate apparel may be prohibited by the dress code policy.
200:47-b Sun-Safe Education. All public schools may incorporate instruction in the common school grades utilizing existing, free resources on skin cancer prevention as approved by the state board of education. The instruction shall be provided in an age appropriate manner and shall include the following components:
I. The basic facts about skin cancer, including the negative impact of human exposure to ultraviolet radiation obtained through sunburns and indoor tanning; and
II. A comprehensive set of strategies and behaviors to reduce the risk of contracting skin cancer, including the use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
3 New Section; Possession and Use of Sunscreen at Recreation Camps. Amend RSA 170-E by inserting after section 62 the following new section:
170-E:62-a Possession and Use of Sunscreen at Recreation Camps.
I. A participant in a recreation camp may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while attending such camp without a physician's note or prescription if the product is regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.
II. Any participant in a recreation camp who is unable to self-apply sunscreen in accordance with this section may have assistance provided in applying a topical sunscreen product. This assistance shall be provided by appropriate recreation camp personnel only with the permission of a recreation camp participant's parent or guardian.
III. Recreation camp personnel shall not be held liable in a criminal action or for civil damages for application of a topical sunscreen product if the topical sunscreen product is available to and used by the recreation camp participant in accordance with this section.
IV. Each recreational camp shall allow for outdoor use articles of sun protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats and sunglasses. Recreational camps may set a policy related to the type of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats and sunglasses, that will be allowed to be used outdoors pursuant to paragraph IV. Specific clothing, hats, and sunglasses determined by recreational camp personnel to be inappropriate apparel may be prohibited by the dress code policy.
4 New Paragraph; Sun Safe Education Materials. Amend RSA 186:11 by inserting after paragraph XXXVII the following new paragraph:
XXXVIII. Sun-Safe Education. Approve of materials and resources for the instruction of sun-safe education in public schools pursuant to RSA 200:47-b.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
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1 Findings and Purpose. The general court finds that:
I. Many children are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to suboptimal sunscreen use and high rates of sunburning, and therefore at risk of excessive UV exposure which could lead to skin cancer development. It is a high priority to ensure that children can use sunscreen and sun-protective clothing when outdoors.
II. News outlets have reported that some schools do not allow children to bring or use sunscreen without a prescription due to "medication bans" and fears of legal ramifications.
III. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that school policies that prohibit hats or student possession of sunscreen can create barriers to the use of important sun protection methods.
IV. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends educating children, adolescents, and young adults on the dangers of sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
V. It is in public interest that schools set policies that include education on sun exposure and encourage our youth to use sun protection, including sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
2 New Subdivision; Pupil Use of Sunscreen for Skin Cancer Prevention. Amend RSA 200 by inserting after section 47 the following new subdivision:
Pupil Use of Sunscreen for Skin Cancer Prevention
200:47-a Application.
I. A pupil may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while on school property or at a school-sponsored event or activity without a physician's note or prescription if the product is regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.
II. Any pupil who is unable to self-apply sunscreen in accordance with this section may have assistance provided in applying a topical sunscreen product. This assistance shall be provided by appropriate school personnel only with the permission of a pupil's parent or guardian.
III. School personnel shall not be held liable in a criminal action or for civil damages for application of a topical sunscreen product if the topical sunscreen product is available to and used by the pupil in accordance with this section.
IV. Each school shall allow for outdoor use articles of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats and sunglasses. Schools may set a policy related to the type of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats, and sunglasses that will be allowed to be used outdoors pursuant to paragraph IV. Specific clothing, hats and sunglasses, determined by school personnel to be inappropriate apparel may be prohibited by the dress code policy.
200:47-b Sun-Safe Education. All public schools may incorporate instruction in the common school grades utilizing existing, free resources on skin cancer prevention as approved by the state board of education. The instruction shall be provided in an age appropriate manner and shall include the following components:
I. The basic facts about skin cancer, including the negative impact of human exposure to ultraviolet radiation obtained through sunburns and indoor tanning; and
II. A comprehensive set of strategies and behaviors to reduce the risk of contracting skin cancer, including the use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
3 New Section; Possession and Use of Sunscreen at Recreation Camps. Amend RSA 170-E by inserting after section 62 the following new section:
170-E:62-a Possession and Use of Sunscreen at Recreation Camps.
I. A participant in a recreation camp may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while attending such camp without a physician's note or prescription if the product is regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.
II. Any participant in a recreation camp who is unable to self-apply sunscreen in accordance with this section may have assistance provided in applying a topical sunscreen product. This assistance shall be provided by appropriate recreation camp personnel only with the permission of a recreation camp participant's parent or guardian.
III. Recreation camp personnel shall not be held liable in a criminal action or for civil damages for application of a topical sunscreen product if the topical sunscreen product is available to and used by the recreation camp participant in accordance with this section.
IV. Each recreational camp shall allow for outdoor use articles of sun protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats and sunglasses. Recreational camps may set a policy related to the type of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats and sunglasses, that will be allowed to be used outdoors pursuant to paragraph IV. Specific clothing, hats, and sunglasses determined by recreational camp personnel to be inappropriate apparel may be prohibited by the dress code policy.
4 New Paragraph; Sun Safe Education Materials. Amend RSA 186:11 by inserting after paragraph XXXVII the following new paragraph:
XXXVIII. Sun-Safe Education. Approve of materials and resources for the instruction of sun-safe education in public schools pursuant to RSA 200:47-b.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.