Gov. Mills signs bill to allow sunscreen use in schools

AUGUSTA— Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill sponsored by Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, into law today. The bill allows students to apply sunscreen in school without a doctor’s permission.

“I am grateful to Gov. Mills for signing this common-sense bill to protect students from harmful ultraviolet rays just in time for the warm, sunny weather,” said Sen. Breen.  “As a mother, I support laws that keep our kids safe by requiring them to bring verification to school if they take a prescription drug. Applying these laws to sunscreen, however, does just the opposite—it endangers kids by making sunscreen less accessible. I am glad the Legislature worked together in a bipartisan way to fix the law.”

Sunscreens are regulated as over-the-counter drugs under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and are prohibited from use on school grounds without a doctor’s permission. Sen. Breen’s bill — LD441, “An Act To Reduce Childhood Exposure to Harmful Ultraviolet Radiation by Allowing Students To Use Sunscreen in Schools” — simply removes this requirement. The bill was endorsed at its public hearing by representatives from the Cancer Action Network, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and Maine Osteopathic Association.

Non-emergency laws passed in the regular legislative session this year will be effective law 90 days after the Maine Legislature adjourns sine die.

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