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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB151

Alaska School Policy on Head Lice and Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law requires Alaska school districts to create written policies for students with live head lice or bacterial conjunctivitis, while setting specific rules that apply if a district has not yet made its own policy.

What it does

  • Requires every public school district in Alaska to adopt a written policy about live head lice and bacterial conjunctivitis.
  • Allows students found with live head lice to stay in class until the end of that day if no local policy exists yet.
  • Stops students with live head lice from returning to class after that day unless a school nurse, their designee, or another health care provider confirms their hair is free of live lice.
  • Requires schools to give parents information on how to treat head lice when it is found.
  • Mandates that students with bacterial conjunctivitis leave the classroom immediately and stay out for at least 24 hours after starting treatment if no local policy exists yet.

Who it affects

  • Public school districts in Alaska
  • Students who have live head lice or bacterial conjunctivitis
  • Parents or guardians of students with these conditions

Limits and unknowns

  • The specific rules for bacterial conjunctivitis and head lice only apply if the school district has not already created its own policy.
  • School districts may choose to write stricter policies than what this law requires as a minimum standard.

Plain language

Terms to know

Bacterial conjunctivitis
An eye infection often called pink eye that is caused by bacteria.
Live head lice
Active insects found in a person's hair; the law specifically addresses live lice rather than dead ones or eggs alone.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

SCHOOL DISTRICT HEAD LICE POLICY An Act relating to head lice in public schools.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE1222
  2. (S) FN1: (EED)1222
  3. (S) DP: TOBIN, CRONK, BJORKMAN, STEVENS, KIEHL1222
  4. (S) EDC RPT CS 5DP NEW TITLE1221
  5. (S) Minutes (SEDC)Min
  6. (S) Moved CSSB 151(EDC) Out of Committee -- Rescheduled from 5/7/25 --Text
  7. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  8. (S) Minutes (SEDC)Min
  9. (S) Heard & HeldText
  10. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  11. (S) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --Text
  12. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  13. (S) COSPONSOR(S): TOBIN750
  14. (S) EDC, FIN640
  15. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS640