Contagious and Infectious Diseases: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 5-56

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 5-56

STUDENTS

Contagious and Infectious Diseases: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

1. Purpose

   To establish policy regarding students who are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

2. Philosophy

   The School Board recognizes its obligation to protect the rights of individual students infected with HIV. Since HIV infection is not transmitted through casual contact, students with HIV infection must be allowed to attend school in unrestricted settings and participate in academic programs as allowed by their health status. Employees involved in the implementation and monitoring of this Policy shall maintain confidentiality of records in compliance with state law, School Board policy, and regulations. The School Board shall maintain a program of information sharing and training for school employees that includes the rights of individual students with HIV infection, and the use of universal precautions by employees and students to decrease the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens (e.g. HIV).

3. Required Personnel Training

   The Superintendent shall ensure that all school employees working in school areas receive training on the use of universal precautions to decrease the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and the process for reporting these exposures through the School Division's Exposure Control Plan. Employee groups listed in the Exposure Control Plan that are at a higher risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens in their regular job duties will receive additional training per the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program.

4. Immunization Requirements

   Students must be in compliance with the Virginia Minimum Immunization Requirements for School Entry. When applicable, a Medical Exemption completed by a physician is acceptable to meet immunization compliance.

5. Confidentiality of Records/Right to Privacy

   School employees notified by an adult student, parent or legal guardian of a minor student with HIV infection must obtain written consent from the adult student, parent or legal guardian of a minor student that includes the name(s) of school personnel that the adult student, parent or legal guardian of a minor student consents to have this information. The school employees listed on the consent must not share information related to the HIV infection diagnosis with others not on the consent and must maintain privacy and confidentiality of related records. These records shall not be included in the student's educational cumulative record.

6. Guidelines for School Attendance

   The guidelines for school attendance for students with HIV infection will model the School Division's guidelines for school attendance for students with health conditions that may impact attendance in school programs.

Legal Reference

Code of Virginia, § 22.1-271.2, as amended. Immunization requirements.

Code of Virginia, § 22.1-271.3, as amended. Guidelines for school attendance for children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus; school personnel training required; notification of school personnel in certain cases.

Virginia State Board of Education, "Model Guidelines for School Attendance for Children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus." (2003)

Related Links

School Board Policy 4-9

Adopted by School Board: June 15, 1993 (Effective August 14, 1993)
Amended by School Board: October 20, 1998
Amended by School Board: May 28, 2019
Amended by School Board: June 10, 2024