LANSING — The Michigan House of Representatives approved state Rep. Kevin Hertel’s (D-St. Clair Shores) bill today allowing students to bring sunscreen and other FDA-approved topicals to school and use them during school activities. House Bill 5379 has the support of many, including Madison Horton, a young woman who has battled with a rare form of skin cancer and came to Lansing earlier this month to testify in support of the bill.
“I’m thankful that Madison was willing to get involved and share her story to try to make our laws better for all students, as well as those who may be dealing with similar health issues,” said Hertel. “I’m also grateful that the chair of the Education Reform Committee and I were able to work together to expand the language to align policy with practice on a number of items students already often have on them. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the state Senate to pass HB 5379 and see it signed into law by the governor.”
HB 5379 was introduced to allow students to bring sunscreen with them to school and apply it so they can protect themselves while they are engaged in outdoor activities, but was expanded to include other commonly-possessed hygiene and cosmetic products such as deodorant and lip balm. Technically speaking under current law, students are not allowed to bring any of these items to school without a doctor’s note since they are regulated by the FDA. This bill would amend the regulation to allow students to use these products without the school being held liable, as long as parents consent.