Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen in Oregon Schools, Thanks to State Legislature

Students in Oregon schools this fall can wear sunscreen without a doctor's note—but only thanks to a legal tweak passed by the state Legislature.

Until this month, many students in Oregon schools weren't allowed to use sunscreen while on school property or under school supervision.

Commercial sunblock lotions—which contain active ingredients and have drug-facts labeling—were treated by many schools as a medication akin to Tylenol, meaning that students required a note from a doctor to use it, and the sunscreen had to be held and administered by a staff member.

"It wasn't on the banned list—the problem is, it wasn't on the approved list," says Rep. Mitch Greenlick (D-Portland), who chairs the House health-care committee. "The approved list is the sure list of medications kids could bring, and this was not on that list. So apparently there were instances where kids were told they can't do that, because it's not an approved drug to bring to school."

But that won't be the case when students return to school this fall, thanks to a new law enacted during the 2015 legislative session. House Bill 3041 creates an exception for nonprescription sunscreen by declaring that it is not a medication.

In a legislative meeting in March, OHSU dermatology department chair Sancy Leachman testified that sunblock is important for students because melanoma and other skin cancers are more likely to affect younger individuals.

"Ultraviolet light—it's unquestionable that it causes melanoma," she said. "It basically causes DNA damage."

The new law doesn't require students to use sunscreen, and schools don't have to provide it.

The law also allows students to wear hats and other sun-protective clothing at outdoor school activities. But for any students looking to exploit their new-found clothing rights, state lawmakers are one step ahead: The new law says a school district can still prohibit hats with inappropriate designs or messages.

The bill passed unanimously in the state Senate and House and was signed by Gov. Kate Brown on June 1. The new law took effect on July 1.

WWeek 2015