Last Updated on March 18, 2021 by Michelle Ball
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995
With the raging hot sun in California, sun exposure is a serious concern for many parents. Consequences from sunburns can be painful and potentially dangerous. Can public schools deny students the ability to carry sunscreen or other sun-protection gear on campus? Generally, no.
The need for youth to be protected is so important that the California legislature took the time to write and pass a law which gives students the right to carry sunscreen and to wear sun-protective clothing on school campuses.
Per California Education Code section 35183.5:
(a) (1) Each schoolsite shall allow for outdoor use during the schoolday, articles of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats.
As can be seen, limitations may be applied to sun-blocking apparel which may be “gang-related” or “inappropriate,” but a student cannot be stopped from wearing a hat to block the sun which does not breach other school policies. Students also cannot be forced to leave their sunscreen in the office or at home. And, no adult or other school personnel needs to be involved in the application or administration of sunscreen.
Education Attorney for Students
LAW OFFICE OF MICHELLE BALL
717 K Street, Suite 228
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-444-9064
Fax: 916-444-1209
Email:help@edlaw4students.com
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Please see my disclaimer. This is legal information, not legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed by this posting. This blog may not be reproduced without permission from the author and proper attribution of authorship. This blog may not reflect the current state of the law.