Legislation Addressing Skin Cancer Risks Introduced
Sen. Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) has proposed three bills intended to raise awareness of skin cancer, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports. Summaries of the bills are provided below.
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SB 688 would make skin cancer education part of the school curriculum and add more shaded areas in all new schools;
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SB 704 would require California to provide skin cancer prevention information and uniforms with UV protection to all state employees who work outdoors; and
- SCR 25 would encourage employers to include skin cancer prevention policies for workers.
Comments on Schools Bill
Speier said SB 688 has "a road yet to travel," adding, "The importance of this cannot be underestimated. The incidence, particularly among young women, is very high. Things we can do to prevent skin cancer must be pursued."
David Long, superintendent of the Riverside County Office of Education, said, "To single this out and highlight it would come at a cost." He added that the educational component of SB 688 would take time away from academic classes and that cancer risks currently are discussed in health classes (O'Brien, Riverside Press-Enterprise, 4/26).