A History of Prohibition
Because sunscreens are regulated by the FDA as over the counter drugs, many California schools either refrained from encouraging their use or prohibited them under a “zero tolerance for drugs” policy. To overcome this hurdle, in 2002 the California state government amended the Education Code as follows:
Section 35183.5 (b)
(1) Each schoolsite shall allow pupils the use of sunscreen
during the schoolday without a physician's note or prescription.
(2) Each schoolsite may set a policy related to the use of
sunscreen by pupils during the schoolday.
(3) For purposes of this subdivision, sunscreen is not an
over-the-counter medication.
(4) Nothing in this subdivision requires school personnel to
assist pupils in applying sunscreen.