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Senate panel advances bill expanding diabetes care in Virginia schools, sends training elements for further review
Summary
The Senate Education and Health Committee reported SB 1303, which expands duties and training related to diabetes management in public schools, allows designated school staff to provide care under a student's diabetes medical management plan, and prompted the committee to refer training implementation questions to the School Health Services body.
Senators voted to report Senate Bill 1303 after extensive debate over school implementation, training requirements and parental medical orders.
The bill would require school boards to permit students with diabetes to receive diabetes care and management services in school as specified in a diabetes medical management plan (DMMP) prepared by the student's health care provider and submitted by a parent. It also expands the diabetes-related tasks that designated school employees may provide and requires certain employees to complete training levels (level 1, 2 and 3) aligned with those services. The substitute reported to the full committee added clarifications and asked that the School Health Services Commission review training and implementation details.
Senator McPike, the bill's patron, said the measure addresses situations where medical orders in students' plans were being ignored in practice. He and other supporters stressed the need for life-saving access to medications (including glucagon) and for students to be permitted to use monitoring devices, including cell phones, to support glucose monitoring.
Opponents and some committee members urged caution because the bill alters school operational practices and would require additional education for staff and changes to policies such as cell phone allowances. The committee ultimately recorded the bill as reported after senators agreed that the School Health Services Commission should "kick the tires" on implementation details; the committee also noted the expectation of continued work as the measure advances.
The committee vote to report SB 1303 was recorded (Ayes 10, Noes 2, 3 abstentions). The committee recommended continued stakeholder work with Department of Education, Department of Health and school nursing stakeholders.
Ending: Senators asked that the School Health Services Commission and the relevant agencies produce implementation guidance and that stakeholders continue to refine training expectations as the bill proceeds through the legislative process.
