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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 9, 2013 03:03 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Matthew E. Baker |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | New Diabetes in School legislation (modification of HB 525) |
| I will be introducing new legislation that modifies current HB 525. The bill will amend the School Code by providing for the management of diabetes while students are in school or at school-related activities. The care of a student with diabetes requires management 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For students with Type I diabetes, and for some with Type 2 diabetes, that means monitoring blood glucose (sugar) levels through the day and administering insulin therapy. Blood glucose levels that are well-managed help students avoid short-term complications of diabetes, and feel better and be more productive at school and at play. Most states allow for trained staff, in addition to a school nurse, to help with diabetes medications. Our legislation would allow students who are capable of self-managing their diabetes to be permitted to do so. In addition, staff could be trained in the routine and emergency care needs of students who need assistance with their diabetes management, such as checking blood glucose, administering insulin or administering glucagon, when a school nurse is not available. The Department of Health would also be required to issue diabetes management guidelines and training modules for schools. The new version of the legislation makes it explicit that this is not a school nurse delegation and that permission for the use of a trained staff person would be provided by the parent and child's clinician. We urge all House members to support this legislation to ensure the safety of diabetic students in the absence of a school nurse. |
Introduced as HB2221