Arizona's sun is so intense that we put roofs over our outdoor playgrounds, so one state lawmaker says it's surprising our state has no laws about sunscreen usage where kids spend most of their days.
State Rep. Heather Carter, R-Phoenix, took the advice of a local dermatologist to propose a law about sunscreen usage in schools.
"In Arizona, where we have over 300 days of sun, we want to make sure we are protecting our children during the most dangerous times which is the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. hours," Carter said.
Under current law, it's up to each specific school or school district to decide how to regulate sunscreen use on campus.
With this bill, all kids would be able to pack sunscreen in their backpacks and use it at school or camp. With signed parental permission, teachers, workers, or volunteers could also help kids apply their sunscreen.
"Just like they carry water bottles at school, I think they should be able to carry sunscreen at school," said Valley mom Gladys Solis.
Her daughter Jaslene says she would bring sunscreen to apply at school "because I don't want to get, like, skin cancer."
The school sunscreen bill passed unanimously in the Arizona House Health Committee Thursday.
