ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1028

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 21, 2024

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1028 with committee amendments.

As amended, this bill requires school districts to adopt a policy concerning a student’s use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing, such as hats and sunglasses, while outdoors at school and school-sponsored functions. The policy is not to require a student to provide documentation from a physician or other licensed health care professional in order to use sunscreen or sun-protective clothing while outdoors at school or a school-sponsored function.  The policy may require written permission from a student’s parent or guardian to allow that student to carry or use sunscreen at school or a school-sponsored function. Nothing in the policy is to be construed as requiring school personnel to assist a student in applying sunscreen.  The amended bill will take effect in the first full school year following the bill’s enactment.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended this bill to provide that the policy may require written permission from a student’s parent or guardian to allow that student to carry or use sunscreen at school or a school-sponsored function. The amendments clarify that nothing in the policy is to be construed as requiring school personnel to assist a student in applying sunscreen.