School Lice Policies

In 2009, the Iowa Department of Public Health revised its guidelines for schools and head lice management. Basically, the recommendations are for schools to drop their "no nit" policies and allow students to remain in school until the end of the school day.

Sonoma County schools have eliminated their "no nit" lice policy and now permit students with nits to remain in school with the following stipulations.

The New Jersey Department of Health dissuades the implementation of "no nit" policies in schools as explained below: "What is the school’s role in the prevention and control of head lice in children? Because a child with an active head lice infestation has likely had the infestation for a month or more by the time it is discovered, he or she should be allowed to remain in class, but be discouraged from close direct head contact with others.