SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1548

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 5, 2024

     The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 1548 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 amended bill stipulates that the policy may require written permission from a student’s parent or guardian to allow the student to carry or use sunscreen at school or a school-sponsored function. The amended bill also stipulates that nothing in the policy is to be construed as requiring school personal to assist a student in applying sunscreen.

      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 the bill to stipulate that:

· the policy may require written permission from a student’s parent or guardian to allow the student to carry or use sunscreen at school or at a school-sponsored function; and

· nothing in the policy is to be construed as requiring school personal to assist a student in applying sunscreen.