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EASTON AREA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
No. 203.1
SECTION:
PUPILS
TITLE:
HIV INFECTION
ADOPTED:
October 19, 2006
REVISED:
203.1. HIV INFECTION
1.
Purpose
The Board is committed to providing a safe, healthy environment for its students and
employees. The purpose of this policy shall be to safeguard the health and well-
being of students and staff while protecting the rights of the individual.
This policy is based on current evidence that the HIV virus is not normally
transmissible by infected individuals within the school setting, except as noted in
this policy.
2.
Definitions
HIV infection - refers to the disease caused by the HIV or human
immunodeficiency virus.
AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
CDCP - United States Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
Infected students - refers to students diagnosed as having the HIV virus, including
those who are asymptomatic.
3.
Authority
This policy shall apply to all students in all programs conducted by the school
district.
The Board directs that the established school rules relative to illnesses and other
diseases among students shall also apply to infected students.
35 P.S.
7601 et seq
The Board shall not require routine screening tests for HIV infection in the school
setting, nor will such tests be a condition for school attendance.
4.
Delegation of
Responsibility
The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for handling and releasing all
information concerning infected students.
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All district employees shall strive to maintain a respectful school climate and to
prohibit physical or verbal harassment of any individual or group, including infected
students.
All employees shall be required to consistently follow infection control/universal
precautions in all settings and at all times, including playgrounds and school buses.
Employees shall notify the school nurse of all incidents of exposure to bodily fluids
and when a student's health condition or behavior presents a reasonable risk of
transmitting an infection.
Building administrators shall notify students, parents/guardians and employees about
current Board policies concerning HIV infection and shall provide reasonable
opportunities to discuss the policy and related concerns.
5.
Guidelines
Attendance
SC 1301
Infected students have the same right to attend school and receive services as any
other students and shall be subject to the same policies and rules. HIV infection shall
not factor into decisions concerning class assignments, privileges or participation in
any school-sponsored activity.
School authorities shall determine the educational placement of infected students on
a case-by-case basis by following established policies and procedures for students
with chronic health problems and students with disabilities.
When an infected student’s parent/guardian voluntarily discloses information
regarding the student’s condition, the district employee who receives the information
shall obtain the written consent of the parent/guardian to disclose the information to
members of the Screening Team.
A Screening Team comprised of the Superintendent or designated central contact,
building principal, school nurse, district physician, and including the student's
parent/guardian and attending physician shall evaluate the infected student’s
educational placement. Placement decisions shall be based on the student's need for
accommodations or services.
First consideration must be given to maintaining the infected student in a regular
assignment. Any decision for an alternative placement must be supported by specific
facts and data.
SC 1329
Title 22
Sec. 11.25
An infected student who is unable to attend school, as determined by a medical
examination, shall be considered for homebound instruction or an alternative
placement.
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SC 1329, 1330
An infected student may be excused from school attendance if the parent/guardian
seeks such excusal based on the advice of medical or psychological experts treating
the student.
An infected student's placement shall be reassessed if there is a change in the
student's condition or the student's need for accommodations or services.
Confidentiality
35 P.S. 7607
District employees who have knowledge of an infected student’s condition shall not
disclose any information without prior written consent of the student’s parent/
guardian, consistent with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Confidentiality of
HIV-Related Information Act.
SC 1409
All health records, notes and other documents referring to a student's HIV status
shall be secured and kept confidential.
Infection Control
Employees shall treat all bodily fluids as hazardous and shall follow universal
precautions for any exposure to bodily fluids.
The school district shall maintain reasonably accessible equipment and supplies
necessary for infection control.
Staff Development
All district employees shall participate in a planned HIV education program.
Designated district employees shall receive additional, specialized training
appropriate to their positions and responsibilities.
Prevention Education
Title 22
Sec. 4.29
The goals of HIV prevention education shall be to promote healthy living and
discourage the behaviors that put people at risk of acquiring HIV. Prevention
education shall be taught at every level, be appropriate to students’ developmental
maturity, and include accurate information about reducing the risk of HIV infection.
Title 22
Sec. 4.4, 4.29
Pol. 105.1
Prior to HIV/AIDS instruction, the district shall inform parents/guardians that
curriculum outlines and materials used in the instruction shall be available for
review.
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Title 22
Sec. 4.4, 4.29
Pol. 105.2
A student shall be excused from HIV/AIDS education when the instruction conflicts
with the religious beliefs or principles of the student or parent/guardian, upon the
written request of the parent/guardian.
References:
School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 1301, 1329, 1330, 1409
State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 4.4, 4.29, 11.25
PA Confidentiality of HIV-Related Information Act – 35 P.S. 7601 et seq
Board Policy – 105.1, 105.2