Parents and nurses push for clear diabetes management rules so students can stay in class

Parents, students and clinical advocates told the Joint Committee on Education that existing practice is inconsistent across districts and can force children with Type 1 diabetes out of classrooms for routine care. Testimony in support of Senate Bill 342 and House Bill 652 described wide variation: some districts said staff would provide support only in the morning, others removed health aides, and some required children to leave class for treatment. Speakers said that inconsistency is inequitable and dangerous, because hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia can lead to confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness.

Jessica Caverly and Steven Caverly, and other parents, described how in‑class support — a trained in‑class aide working with the school nurse — can allow children to treat low blood sugar quickly and return to instruction with minimal disruption. Witnesses emphasized that the updated Department of Public Health nursing guidance (including glucagon on the list of emergency rescue medications) allows nurses to provide care in classrooms, but there is no statutory guarantee that schools will do so.

Representatives from school nurses and clinicians said the bills had been revised to keep injected medication administration to licensed nurses, addressing a common concern raised in earlier versions. Testimony noted prior vetoes of related legislation and urged legislators to pass a version that clarifies delegation limits, protects safety, and ensures access to care in the least restrictive environment.

Ending: Supporters asked for a favorable report and requested that the committee include implementation guidance so districts can provide consistent in‑class care and minimize educational disruption for students with diabetes.