5191

STUDENTS WITH HIV-RELATED ILLNESS

The Board of Education recognizes the public concern over the health issues surrounding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (HIV). The Board also recognizes, based upon the current state of medical knowledge, that the virus associated with AIDS is not easily transmitted and there is no evidence that AIDS or the HIV virus can be transmitted by casual social contact in the open school setting.

The Board acknowledges the rights of those students diagnosed as having AIDS or HIV infection to continue their education as well as the rights of all students in the school district to learn and participate in school activities without being subjected to significant risks to their health. The Board also takes notice that under current law and regulations the disclosure of confidential AIDS and/or HIV related information must be strictly limited.

Accordingly, it is the policy of the Board of Education that no student shall be denied the opportunity to attend school continue his/her education or take part in school-related activities solely on the basis of being diagnosed as having AIDS or HIV infection.

In accordance with current state law and regulations, it is also the policy of the Board of Education to prevent any student from being subjected to adverse or discriminatory treatment or stigma because he or she has been diagnosed as having AIDS or being HIV-infected.

The Superintendent of Schools is hereby directed to develop administrative regulations in regard to the education of students diagnosed as having AIDS or being HIV-infected.

The Superintendent also shall establish and implement, and all school personnel shall comply with, guidelines and routine sanitary hygiene procedures for dealing with all spills of blood and other body fluids in or on school premises and grounds. The Superintendent should consult public health officials, as appropriate, for the most current methods and information pertaining to such procedures.

In addition, the Superintendent shall develop and immediately implement inservice education and training for all school personnel concerning AIDS and HIV infection and the routine sanitary hygiene procedures to be followed in the case of all spills of blood and other body fluids.

Cross-ref: 4315.1, AIDS Instruction

5420, Student Health Services

8123, Hygiene Precautions and Procedures

Ref: Public Health Law, Article 27-F

Education Law ''4401; 4401-a

8 NYCRR '200

10 NYCRR '63

Adoption date: January 1, 1993