House education committee adopts substitute for SB 1303 on school diabetes care, then passes the bill "by for the day"

The House Committee on Education on Monday adopted a substitute to Senate Bill 13‑03, a measure to consolidate and update Virginia law on diabetes management in K‑12 schools, and then voted to pass the bill "by for the day" so members could review the substitute language before the committee’s next meeting.

The substitute, introduced on the floor by Senator McPike, revises existing code to combine diabetes-management provisions into a single section, clarifies the role of diabetes management medical plans (DMMPs), makes certain training levels permissive rather than mandatory, and limits required stock glucagon to schools that have a student with a diagnosed diabetes and a DMMP in place.

Why it matters: supporters told the committee the substitute aims to create consistent statewide expectations so parents, school staff and health providers share a uniform approach to diabetes care. Backers said the measure clarifies liability protections for staff who assist students, and provides guidance where school nurses are not available.

Senator McPike, the bill patron, told the committee the substitute…