Annapolis, Md. 鈥� State Sen. Ronald Young wants kids at every Maryland public school to be able to use sunscreen without needing a note from a doctor.
So he has introduced a bill to have each school district come up with a written policy allowing children to have sunscreen at school and school-sponsored events.
Currently, school boards across the state have differing policies on the use of sunscreen. Some treat it like an over-the-counter medication, and there are differences as to who can be authorized to help a child apply sunscreen 鈥� either a nurse or other staff member.
The bill also 鈥渆ncourages鈥� school systems to educate children on 鈥渟un safety.鈥�
Young introduced his bill to the Senate Health and Environmental Affairs Committee just days before Gov. Larry Hogan revealed that he was being treated for the less-serious skin cancers: basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.
At Hogan’s news conference, the governor explained that as a young man he never used sunscreen 鈥� despite working as a lifeguard in Florida. He took the opportunity to urge everyone to use sunscreen and mentioned he鈥檇 be throwing his support to Young鈥檚 bill, calling the requirement of a permission slip for sunscreen at schools 鈥渏ust crazy.鈥�
Young, too, has a personal interest in skin cancer prevention: During testimony in Annapolis this week, he explained that his own nephew had died at age 27 after being diagnosed with melanoma.
鈥淢elanoma鈥檚 a deadly disease, and children deserve to be protected,鈥� Young told the panel.
Virginia鈥檚 House of Delegates passed a similar bill this week.
