Support Sunscreen in Louisiana's Schools (HB NO. 412)
- Target:
- Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate
- Region:
- United States of America
- Website:
- www.lsofoundation.org
Under current Louisiana law, sunscreen is classified as medication which limits its application to only students with a doctor's note prescribing the use of sunscreen.
Following are statistics regarding skin cancer and sunscreen use, as provided by the Skin Cancer Foundation and The American Association of Dermatology:
-Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.
-Research has made clear that early-life UV exposure is a contributor to development of skin cancer later in life. Sunburns in a childhood can more than double their chances of developing skin cancer later in life. On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns.
-Conversely, Studies have shown that regular use of sunscreen can significantly reduce someone’s risk of skin cancer.
-Children access unshaded play areas daily, whether for recess, school sports, PE or other extra curricular activities, when the sun’s uv rays are at it’s highest levels, between 10 AM and 4 PM.
-Along with wide brim hats, long sleeve clothing and sunglasses – It’s sunscreen that protects kids from the excessive uv rays.
- sunscreen applied before school does not protect children past 2 hours from application or less if sweating and swimming, We are currently hoping that sunscreen applied before school works 4 times longer than labeled.
Louisiana Legislators,
We, the undersigned, strongly urge each member to vote in support of Representative Lebas' "Support Sunscreen in Louisiana's Schools bill" (HB NO. 412). By supporting HB NO. 412, Louisiana law shall no longer consider "sunscreen" a form of "medication", but as a compound topically applied to prevent sunburns. Support for the above bill shall be considered consistent with the support of the following in Louisiana's public schools: "student may possess and self-apply sunscreen that is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration at school, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored function or activity without parental consent or the authorization of a physician. If a student is unable to self-apply sunscreen, a school employee may volunteer to apply the sunscreen to the student. A school employee may only apply sunscreen to a student if his parent or legal guardian has provided written consent for this application, and neither a school employee nor his employer shall be held liable for any adverse reaction relating to the employee's application of the sunscreen or his cessation of such application."
Full text of House Bill 412: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1030670
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Support Sunscreen in Louisiana's Schools (HB NO. 412) petition to Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate was written by The Lauren Savoy Olinde Foundation and is in the category Education at GoPetition.