Bill To Allow Students To Carry Sunscreen Heads To Governor

One of the first bills headed to the governor’s desk this session will allow Indiana students to easily carry and apply sunscreen at school. (Lauren Chapman/IPB News)

One of the first bills headed to the governor’s desk this session will allow Indiana students to easily carry and apply sunscreen at school.

That’s as some lawmakers grumble about why the bill was necessary.

The need for such legislation grew out of requirements some schools imposed. Those included notes from a doctor or a parent and storing the sunscreen in a single school location, such as a nurse’s office.

Rep. Cindy Kirchhofer (R-Beech Grove) says the bill makes it clear – students can carry and apply sunscreen without any conditions.

“This bill is no way requires schools to stock sunscreen or require kids to bring and apply it,” Kirchhofer says.

Rep. Vernon Smith (D-Gary) laments the need to pass such a bill.

“It would seem to me that some common sense ought to prevail in our schools,” Smith says.

The House approved the bill 94-2 Monday. The Senate passed it 45-4 earlier this session. And because the House made no changes, it goes directly to the governor.