The Pennsylvania Senate has introduced an amendment dealing with tick-management in schools.
The newly introduced amendment takes aim at the management of ticks found on students within the public school system. Ticks removed from students by school personnel are to be sent directly to the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania. The school district is also required to inform the parents of the student, providing them with information on the potential effects and management of tick-bites. The district should specify the symptoms of illness resulting from the bite, particularly that of Lyme disease.
The Secretary of Health will also publish guidelines for tick management on the Department of Health’s website, alongside the Secretary of Education, who will provide guidelines to the schools.
This act amends the ‘Public School Code of 1949’, which deals with providing health services in public schools.