BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
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198 (Gordon)
As Introduced June 20, 2016
Majority vote
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|Committee |Votes|Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------|
|Health |18-0 |Wood, Maienschein, | |
| | |Bonilla, Burke, | |
| | |Campos, Chiu, Gomez, | |
| | |Roger Hernández, | |
| | |Lackey, Nazarian, | |
| | |Olsen, Patterson, | |
| | |Ridley-Thomas, | |
| | |Rodriguez, Santiago, | |
| | |Steinorth, McCarty, | |
| | |Waldron | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY: Resolves that the Legislature encourage teaching sun
safety practices to children to enable them to identify the
importance of sun safety, practice strategies to protect against
the harmful effects of the sun, and understand why and how to
stay safe from overexposure to the sun. Makes various findings
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and declarations related to childhood sun exposure and skin
cancer.
FISCAL EFFECT: None.
COMMENTS: According to the author, skin cancer is by far the
most common cancer found among our residents. In California,
new cases of skin cancer are roughly equal to the total number
of new cases of all other types of cancer combined.
Overexposure to the sun is particularly unsafe for children. In
fact, a child's skin is more vulnerable to harmful ultraviolet
rays than an adult's skin. Furthermore, up to 50% of a person's
lifetime sun exposure can occur during childhood and
adolescence. Sunburns, especially in childhood, increase the
chances that individuals will develop skin cancer. However,
skin cancer is highly preventable when sun safety practices are
adopted, such as the use of wide-brimmed hats,
ultraviolet-protective sunglasses, long clothing, and sunscreen,
supplemented by environmental supports, including the provision
of shade and the adoption and implementation of sun protection
guidelines and policies. Children, who are more vulnerable,
need to understand why and how to guard against unprotected
exposure to the sun.
Analysis Prepared by:
Rosielyn Pulmano / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN:
0003662
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