Head lice

[RNKT]

I was wondering if there are any laws prohibiting school districts from sending home a letter to parents when lice is found in the classroom. Obviously, confidentiality would be protected. Is there anything that states we need to have 3 or more students with lice before a letter can be sent? I am located in the state of WI, btw. I get both sides- parents want and should be alerted with cases of head lice, but also, confidentiality should always be a priority. Any help from school nurses about laws/policies regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

[drvncrazy, BSN]

Texas LICE law SB 1566. Chapter 38.031

lice bill.PDF

Effective starting 2017-2018 school year

[Supernrse01, BSN]

On 10/1/2019 at 11:35 AM, drvncrazy said:

Texas LICE law SB 1566. Chapter 38.031

?‍♀️ Such a waste of time.

[AdobeRN]

On 9/30/2019 at 3:42 PM, Mavnurse17 said:

What law is this? I'm also in Texas and at least the policy in my district is that letters don't get sent home to the entire class if it's a middle or high school, and not even to the identified student's parents if treatment's already begun at home.

I copied this from Tx Dept of Health website. No law on exclusion, treatment etc just a law that states we need to notify the class.

As of September 1, 2017, Texas Education Code, Chapter 38, Section 38.031, Notice of Lice, states the following: "The board of trustees of an independent school district shall adopt a policy requiring a school nurse of a public elementary school who determines or otherwise becomes aware that a child enrolled in the school has lice shall provide written or electronic notice of that fact to:

(1) the parent of the child with lice as soon as practicable but not later than 48 hours after the administrator or nurse, as applicable, determines or becomes aware of that fact; and

(2) the parent of each child assigned to the same classroom as the child with lice not later than the fifth school day after the date on which the administrator or nurse, as applicable, determines or becomes aware of that fact.”

Additional information about confidentiality is included within the law.

[scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN]

Nope no letters at all. No classroom checks either, both a waste of time and effort.

[SaltineQueen]

On 9/27/2019 at 4:30 PM, RNKT said:

parents want and should be alerted with cases of head lice

Parents want to know because they're nosey. The only time they should be alerted is if it's their own kid. Parents need to check their kids regularly. Period.

My favorite lice article:

Demystifying Pediculosis.pdf

[AdobeRN]

40 minutes ago, SaltineQueen said:

Parents want to know because they're nosey. The only time they should be alerted is if it's their own kid. Parents need to check their kids regularly. Period.

My favorite lice article:

Demystifying Pediculosis.pdf

My favorite also - I give this to my teachers and parents that are dealing with lice for the first time.

[CampyCamp, RN]

3 hours ago, AdobeRN said:

My favorite also - I give this to my teachers and parents that are dealing with lice for the first time.

I love it too. Unfortunately, I emailed it to every nurse and administrator in the district and since one nurse still disagrees, there will be no change to the no-nit policy. A teacher wouldn't even look at the article because it's gross.

[CanIcallmymom, BSN, RN]

On 9/30/2019 at 2:42 PM, Mavnurse17 said:

What law is this? I'm also in Texas and at least the policy in my district is that letters don't get sent home to the entire class if it's a middle or high school, and not even to the identified student's parents if treatment's already begun at home.

Here's more info on it. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/schoolhealth/lice.shtm

Looks like it just applies to public elementary schools.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

On 9/30/2019 at 8:58 AM, BeckyESRN said:

There are always head lice, parents should check their kid's head all the time.

This ought to be a bumper sticker!

[Mavnurse17, BSN, RN]

On 10/1/2019 at 11:40 AM, AdobeRN said:

I copied this from Tx Dept of Health website. No law on exclusion, treatment etc just a law that states we need to notify the class.

As of September 1, 2017, Texas Education Code, Chapter 38, Section 38.031, Notice of Lice, states the following: "The board of trustees of an independent school district shall adopt a policy requiring a school nurse of a public elementary school who determines or otherwise becomes aware that a child enrolled in the school has lice shall provide written or electronic notice of that fact to:

(1) the parent of the child with lice as soon as practicable but not later than 48 hours after the administrator or nurse, as applicable, determines or becomes aware of that fact; and

(2) the parent of each child assigned to the same classroom as the child with lice not later than the fifth school day after the date on which the administrator or nurse, as applicable, determines or becomes aware of that fact.”

Additional information about confidentiality is included within the law.

Ah yes, for elementary schools. I can see why a letter might be needed then since the kiddos are all in one classroom all day and don't have awareness of personal space yet. But it shouldn't be required for secondary schools.

[NurseInTheHall, ADN, RN]

On 10/3/2019 at 10:10 AM, Jedrnurse said:

This ought to be a bumper sticker!

@Jedrnurse.... here you go! ?

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

On 10/7/2019 at 4:20 PM, NurseInTheHall said:

@Jedrnurse.... here you go! ?

Coming soon to a T-shirt near you...