CSG has voted to include legislation on use of sunscreen
in Utah schools in its 2019 Shared State Legislation (SSL) Volume.
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., JANUARY 5, 2018 - The Council of State Governments (CSG) has voted to include Utah’s sunscreen in school legislation in its 2019 Shared State Legislation (SSL) Volume. Utah was the first state in the nation to pass legislation based on the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association's SUNucate model legislation which ensures children can possess and use sunscreen while at school. ASDSA recently became an associate member of CSG and strongly supported including SUNucate based legislation in the SSL. SUNucate is supported by a broad coalition of medical specialty and patient groups including another CSG Associate Member, the Personal Care Products Council.
CSG is an organization made up of state elected or appointed leaders. The SSL Committee meets twice a year to consider legislation adopted in the states and consider inclusion in the annual SSL. If legislation is included in the SSL, it is shared with state leaders as legislative ideas for their consideration. During the December meeting, 102 bills were considered and 26 bills were approved to be included in the 2019 SSL Volume.
The SUNucate model legislation eliminates barriers prohibiting students from possessing and using over-the-counter sunscreen by exempting these products from requirements implemented by broad reaching ‘medication bans’, such as the need for a physician’s note or prescription. ASDSA thanks the CSG SSL Committee for approving this important measure to share it with state elected leaders. To date, seven states have passed SUNucate legislation and several states have the legislation under consideration.
“SUNucate has achieved great success in a short amount of time,” said ASDSA President Lisa M. Donofrio, MD. “By including it in CSG’s 2019 SSL Volume, more state legislators will become aware of the need to reduce the risk of skin cancer, especially in our youth. We must continue to educate the public of the harmful effects of too much exposure to UV rays.”
The impetus for SUNucate were raised by dermatologists, dermatologic surgeons and members of the media who noted that children were being required to bring a prescription from a physician in order to possess or use sunscreen at their school or camp (sunscreen is classified as an over-the-counter drug by the FDA). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Preventive Services Task Force both believe that children should have access to sunscreen and other sun-protective measures in order to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
“In our fight against skin cancer, we must work to increase access to sunscreen in our schools,” said ASDSA State Affairs Chair Kelley Redbord, MD. “We will continue to advocate for proactive policies to mitigate the risks associated with harmful sun exposure.”
ASDSA has worked with multiple groups as part of its SUNucate Coalition to garner attention for this important effort designed to protect school-aged children. Encouraging states to allow for the regular and routine use of sunscreen at schools without a prescription is key to reducing skin cancer in the United States. To find more information on SUNucate, visit asdsa.asds.net/SUNucate.
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About ASDSA
With a membership of 6,400+ physicians, ASDSA is a 501(c) (6) association, dedicated to education and advocacy on behalf of dermatologic surgeons and their patients. For more information, visit http://asdsa.asds.net.
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