MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
1997 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Welfare
By: Representative Manning
House Bill 154
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHALL BE NOTIFIED IF A STUDENT HAS HAD HEAD LICE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE ATTENDING SCHOOL; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL TREAT THE CHILD AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CHILD'S FAMILY WHO ALSO HAVE HEAD LICE, AND SHALL INSTRUCT THE CHILD'S PARENTS OR GUARDIANS ON HOW TO TREAT AND PREVENT THE RECURRENCE OF HEAD LICE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CHARGE THE CHILD'S PARENTS A FEE TO RECOVER ITS COSTS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHILD MAY NOT ATTEND SCHOOL UNTIL THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER CERTIFIES THAT THE CHILD IS FREE OF HEAD LICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. If a student in any elementary or secondary school, either public or private, has had head lice on three (3) separate occasions while attending school, as determined by the school principal or administrator, the principal or administrator shall notify the county health department of the recurring problem of head lice with that student. The county health department then shall provide treatment to the child for the head lice and to other members of the child's family who also have head lice, and shall instruct the child's parents or guardians on how to treat head lice, eliminate head lice from household items, and prevent the recurrence of head lice. The county health department shall charge the child's parents or guardians a fee to recover its costs of providing treatment for the head lice and visiting the family to provide treatment and instruction. The school principal or administrator shall not allow the child to attend school until the local health officer of the county health department certifies in writing that the child is free of head lice.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.