A new Texas law requires public elementary schools to notify parents within five days if lice are discovered on someone in their child’s class.
The law, which was implemented on Sept. 1, requires schools to send home a notice to parents but they may not identify which child in the class has a lice infestation. This makes parents aware of the lice infestation while protecting the child from potential embarrassment or harassment.
The Law Is Written Under Senate Bill 1566
According to Senate Bill 1566, schools must also notify the parent of an infected child within 48 hours once a school nurse or administrator becomes aware of lice on the child.
The notice must also include head lice treatment recommendations, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Even with the new requirements in place, The Texas Department of Health and Human Services says lice are not a public threat and do not carry diseases.