A new SC law lets students bring this helpful item to school starting this fall. What to know
Believe it or not, but students in South Carolina once faced possible reprimands for bringing sunscreen to public schools.
Starting this upcoming school year however, that will no longer be the case.
A new South Carolina law lets students bring sunscreen to public schools to protect themselves when out under the harsh sun. The bill, which Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law in May, states that “public schools shall not prohibit the possession or personal use of sunscreen. “Sunscreen means a topical, non-aerosol product regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.”
Sunscreen was previously mostly prohibited in South Carolina public schools because it is regulated by the FDA and considered an over-the-counter medication, which students can’t bring to class without a doctor’s permission.
South Carolina is the 27th state to adopt model legislation, which is the foundation of the SUNucate initiative, developed by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association (ASDSA) to address barriers to sunscreen use in schools, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery states on its website. The need for the legislation arose after dermatologists raised concerns and reports in the national media were made about broad “medication bans” in place in schools across the country requiring students to have a note or prescription from a physician for sunscreen, the website adds.
“I congratulate South Carolina on passing this critical common-sense legislation to instill sun-safe habits and protect children from overexposure to the sun,” ASDSA President Vince Bertucci, MD, FRCPC said on the website. “Early intervention is key to creating life-long habits that are essential to preventing skin cancer later in life.”
This story was originally published July 27, 2023 at 6:30 AM.
