Authenticated PDF VersionThe following words and terms when used in this regulation have the following meaning:
“New school enrollee” means any child enrolling in a Delaware public school for the first time. For purposes of this regulation, “new school enrollee” shall also include any child who is re-enrolled in a Delaware public school following travel or residency of 1 month in a location or facility identified by the Delaware Division of Public Health as an area at risk for tuberculosis exposure.
"School staff and extended services personnel" means all persons hired as full or part time employees in a public school. This includes teachers, administrators, substitutes, contract employees, bus drivers, and student teachers whether compensated or not.
"Tuberculosis risk assessment" means a formal assessment by a healthcare professional, including the primary healthcare physician, Division of Public Health's TB Elimination Program, and school nurse, to determine possible tuberculosis exposure through the use of a health history or questionnaire.
"Tuberculosis test" means a Mantoux skin test, QuantiFERON-TB Gold blood test, or other test approved by the Delaware Division of Public Health.
“Verification” means a documented evaluation of the individual’s disease status.
“Volunteers” means those persons who give their time to help others for no monetary reward and who share the same air space with public school students and staff on a regularly scheduled basis.
2.0 School Staff and Extended Services Personnel
2.1.1.1 In such cases, the individual shall complete the Delaware Department of Education TB Health Questionnaire for School Employees or provide, within 2 weeks, verification from a licensed healthcare provider or the Division of Public Health that the individual does not pose a threat of transmitting tuberculosis to students or other staff.
2.1.1.2 If a school staff member or extended services person, who has submitted a waiver because of religious beliefs, answers affirmatively to any of the questions in the Delaware Department of Education TB Health Questionnaire for School Employees the individual shall complete a symptom screener and provide, within 2 weeks, verification from a licensed healthcare provider or the Division of Public Health that the individual does not pose a threat of transmitting tuberculosis to students or other staff.
2.2 Every fifth year, by October 15th, all school staff and extended services personnel shall complete the Delaware Department of Education TB Health Questionnaire for School Employees or, within 2 weeks, provide tuberculosis test results administered within the last 12 months. If a school staff member or extended services staff member answers affirmatively to any of the questions in the Delaware Department of Education TB Health Questionnaire for School Employees the individual shall complete a symptom screener and provide, within 2 weeks, verification from a licensed healthcare provider or the Division of Public Health that the individual does not pose a threat of transmitting tuberculosis to students or other staff.
2.3 All documentation related to the School Health Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program shall be retained in the same manner as other confidential personnel medical information.
3.1 Volunteers shall complete the Delaware Department of Education’s TB Health Questionnaire for Volunteers in Public Schools prior to their assignment and every fifth year thereafter. If the volunteer answers affirmatively to any of the questions, the individual shall complete a symptom screener and provide, within 2 weeks, verification from a licensed healthcare provider or the Division of Public Health that the individual does not pose a threat of transmitting tuberculosis to the students or staff.
3.2 All documentation related to the School Health Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program shall be retained in the same manner as other confidential personnel medical information.
4.1 New school enrollees shall provide tuberculosis screening results from either a tuberculosis test or the results of a tuberculosis risk assessment administered within the past 12 months prior to school enrollment. If the new school enrollee is in compliance with the other school enrollment health requirements, a school nurse who is trained in the use of the Delaware Department of Education TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire for Students may administer the questionnaire to the student’s parent, guardian, or relative caregiver, or to a new school enrollee who has reached the statutory age of majority (18). If a student’s parent, guardian, or relative caregiver, or a student 18 years or older answers affirmatively to any of the questions, the individual shall complete a symptom screener and provide, within 2 weeks, proof of tuberculosis testing results or provide verification from a licensed healthcare provider or the Division of Public Health that the student does not pose a threat of transmitting tuberculosis to staff or other students.
4.2 All documentation related to the School Health Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program shall be retained in the same manner as other confidential student medical information.
5.0 Tuberculosis Status Verification and Follow-up
Non regulatory note: See 14 DE Admin. Code 930 Supportive Instruction (Homebound) for students who are not permitted to remain in school.
