JLCCA - Students with HIV or AIDS
Book: J
Section: Students
Title: Students with HIV or AIDS
Code: JLCCA
Status: Active
Adopted: January 6, 1988
Last Revised: August 26, 1992
STUDENTS WITH HIV/AIDS
Portland Public Schools has as its primary goal the provision of quality education in a safe environment for all students. This policy is to assist school personnel in dealing with students and HIV-related issues. The information and recommendations that follow are based on recommendations developed by the Department of Human Services, Department of Education, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the most current medical knowledge available. The Portland School Committee will continue to monitor information made available through the Department of Human Services, Department of Education, and the Centers of Disease Control.
Public law in Maine guarantees all children the right to an education. The purpose of this policy is to establish what actions shall be taken in the event that Portland Public Schools is made aware that a student attending school is infected with HIV.
In general, Portland Public Schools shall provide educational opportunities for students infected with HIV just as it does for other students. Students infected with HIV shall be entitled to all the rights, privileges, and services provided by Maine law and the Portland Public Schools’ policies.
At any time that Portland Public Schools is concerned that a particular student poses a public health threat to others, advice may be requested from the Bureau of Health.
In the event that the Bureau of Health determines that conditions exist which suggest that a student with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection is a health threat to the school community, the Bureau of Health and/or the Superintendent shall remove the student from the usual classroom setting until other arrangements can be made or until the Bureau of Health determines that the risks are abated. The status of a student temporarily removed from the usual school setting in order to protect the health of the student or the health of others will be reevaluated at least quarterly by the Bureau of Health.
Maine law protects the confidentiality of HIV test results with certain statutory exceptions. Test results may not be disclosed to anyone without written consent of parents/guardians. Records containing information about HIV test results and consent forms relating to test results shall be kept separate from other school records. Only those persons given written consent by the student’s parents/guardian shall have access.
With written consent of the parents/guardians, the Superintendent shall designate an individual or team to serve as the liaison between the school and the student’s parents, the student’s physician and, if necessary, the Bureau of Health. Any team member or individual entrusted with the knowledge of a student infected with HIV must, by law, keep his/her knowledge of that student’s status confidential, and access to information shall be limited only to those persons authorized in writing by the student’s parents/ guardians.
Portland Public Schools shall follow standard procedures for cleaning and disinfecting all body fluid spills. The procedures for cleaning body fluid spills shall be reviewed annually by all school staff members.
Portland Public Schools will conduct educational programs to inform students and staff regarding HIV infection transmission.
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JLCCA - Students with HIV or AIDS.pdf (10 KB)
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