PRINTER'S NO. 1046
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
889
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY HAYWOOD, J. WARD, SANTARSIERO, DILLON, FONTANA,
BREWSTER, SCHWANK AND CAPPELLETTI, AUGUST 16, 2023
REFERRED TO AGING AND YOUTH, AUGUST 16, 2023
AN ACT
Providing for sunscreen and sun-protective measures in schools
and youth camps.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Reducing UV
Exposure in Children Act.
Section 2. Findings and declarations.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) It is a high priority to ensure that children use
sunscreen and sun-protective clothing when outdoors. Children
are being exposed to UV radiation due to suboptimal sunscreen
use and high rates of sunburning and are therefore at risk of
excessive UV exposure which could lead to skin cancer
development.
(2) 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
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ramifications.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) It is in the public's interest that schools set
policies that include education on sun exposure and encourage
our youths to use sun protection, including sunscreen and
sun-protective clothing.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Operator." The chief administrator or principal of a school
or youth camp.
"School." A school in a school district, charter school,
regional charter school, cyber charter school, intermediate unit
or career and technical school in this Commonwealth.
"Youth camp." An entity that exists for the primary purposes
of providing outdoor living experiences for children and youth
through an organized program with social, recreational or
educational objectives.
Section 4. Sun-protective measures in schools and youth camps.
(a) School.--A student 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
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prescription if the product is regulated by the United States
Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the
purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.
(b) Youth camp.--A participant in a youth camp may possess
and use a topical sunscreen product while attending a youth camp
without a physician's note or prescription if the product is
regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration for
over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet
light-induced skin damage.
(c) Application.--A school district or youth camp operator
may allow school or youth camp personnel to assist students in
applying a topical sunscreen product with parental permission.
(d) Liability.--School or youth camp personnel may 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 student or
youth camp participant in accordance with this section.
(e) Sun-protective clothing.--Each school or youth camp
shall allow for outdoor use articles of sun-protective clothing,
including, but not limited to, hats. A school or youth camp may
set a policy relating to the type of sun-protective clothing,
including, but not limited to, hats, that will be allowed to be
used outdoors under this section. Specific clothing and hats
determined by school or youth camp personnel to be inappropriate
apparel may be prohibited by the dress code policy.
Section 5. Sun-Safe Education.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all schools may
incorporate instruction in the common school grades four through
twelve utilizing existing, free resources on skin cancer
prevention. The instruction shall be provided in an age-
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appropriate manner and shall include the following components:
(1) The basic facts about skin cancer, including the
negative impact of human exposure to ultraviolet radiation
obtained through sunburns and indoor tanning.
(2) A comprehensive set of strategies and behaviors to
reduce the risk of contracting skin cancer, including the use
of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
Section 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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