Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 160 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Chapter 160-1
Subject 160-1-3 - RULES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY
Rule 160-1-3-.03 - Infectious Diseases

(a) Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - a major operating component of the United States Department of Health and Human Services with responsibilities at the national level for monitoring health, detecting and investigating health problems.

(b) Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)-Federal legislation applicable to all educational institutions receiving Federal Funds that protects the privacy of students' personally identifiable information

(c) Infectious Disease-an illness due to an infectious agent, or its toxic products, which is transmitted directly or indirectly to a person from an infected person or animal.

(d) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-any type of face mask, glove, or clothing that acts as a barrier between infectious materials and the skin, mouth, nose, or eyes.

(e) Local Education Agency (LEA) - a local school system pursuant to local board of education control and management.

(f) Standard Precautions-a set of precautions designed to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases which include, but not limited to, hand washing procedures, use of protective gloves, and directives on covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

(g) Tasks With Exposure Potential- tasks associated with the evaluation and treatment of students with actual or potential infections.

(a) LEAs shall develop polices, regulations, and procedures related to the impact of infectious diseases on school system management and operations.

(b) LEAs shall annually provide employees with information, education, or training related to infectious diseases, including transmission, risk education, and standard precautions, based on CDC guidelines or recommendations.

(c) LEAs shall make personal protective equipment (PPE) readily available and appropriate to tasks with exposure potential.

(d) Where LEAs have reasonable suspicion to believe that an employee or student has an infectious disease, school authorities shall counsel that person immediately, or if the person is a minor, notify his or her parent or guardian of the need to obtain an appropriate medical evaluation.

(e) Operational decisions related to employees or students infected with communicable diseases shall be made in conjunction with the school nurse, state and/or local public health agency representatives, health care professionals, and school system administrators.

(f) Each LEA shall limit the disclosure of health-related information of its employees and students. FERPA prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of information from educational records except in certain limited circumstances, such as a health and safety emergency as described in 34 C.F.R. §§ 99.31(a) (10) and 99.36. Additionally, the disclosure of certain confidential health information may be a misdemeanor punishable under O.C.G.A. § 24-9-47.