HI SR38

Urges school administrators, teachers, parents, and students to become educated about health impacts of heavy backpacks and take proactive measures to prevent injury.

Requests the Board of Education develop policies allowing licensed chiropractors to conduct scoliosis examinations in schools.

Encourages schools to work with parent-teacher associations to assess student backpack weight and promote strategies to reduce daily material transport.

Recommends schools promote backpack education including: limiting weight to 10% of body weight, using ergonomic designs with padded straps, wearing both shoulder straps, leaving heavy books at school, and using electronic textbooks when possible.

Directs certified copies be sent to the Board of Education Chairperson, Superintendent of Education, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools Director, and Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission Executive Director.