(1) The General Assembly finds that:
(a) The chief cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet rays from natural sunlight and artificial sources;
(b) According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is one (1) of the most common types of cancer in the United States, with one (1) in five (5) Americans developing skin cancer in his or her lifetime and one (1) American dying from skin cancer every hour;
(c) The lifetime risk of getting skin cancer is linked to sun exposure and sunburn during childhood and adolescence;
(d) World and national health organizations have published guidelines or instructional materials regarding sun safety and skin cancer prevention for schools; and (e) Schools have the potential to positively influence pupil behavior regarding skin cancer prevention.
(2) The General Assembly hereby encourages each public school to provide age- appropriate education to all students on the risks associated with exposure to ultraviolet rays from natural sunlight and artificial sources.
(a) The education should be included within the existing health curriculum as required by KRS 156.160(1)(a) and in accordance with the curriculum policy adopted by the school-based decision making council or, if none exists, by the school principal.
(b) The education should be consistent with guidelines published by world or national health organizations and should include, but not be limited to:
1. The facts and statistics about skin cancer;
2. The cause and impact of skin cancer; and 3. Strategies and behaviors to reduce individual risks for skin cancer.
(c) The Kentucky Department of Education shall provide instructional resources, including information from national standards and health organizations.