Illinois § 10

§ 10.

Purpose. The General Assembly finds and declares the following: (1) Many children are exposed to ultraviolet (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. It is a high priority to ensure that children can use sunscreen and sun-protective clothing when outdoors. (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 ramifications. (3) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe 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 youth to use sun protection, including sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. (Source: P.A. 100-1176, eff. 1-11-19.)