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Subcommittee backs updates to diabetes care standards in schools; parents press for clarity on training
Summary
SB 1303 seeks to modernize diabetes care and management in Virginia schools, including use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, standardized diabetes medical management plans, and liability protections. Parents and advocates urged passage; committee discussed training levels and staffing ratios.
Richmond — Senators and parents urged the subcommittee to update Virginia law to reflect modern diabetes care and technologies during testimony on Senate Bill 1303.
Sen. McPike, sponsor of SB 1303, said the bill consolidates and updates scattered code sections on diabetes care to align with federal law and present best practices. "It sets a statewide standard for diabetes care that expands employees' liability protections... and requires timely access to reasonable accommodations," McPike said.
Parents, clinicians and advocates described inconsistent implementation across school divisions and life‑threatening incidents they attributed to outdated policies. Carrie Murphy, founder of a Type 1 diabetes parents’ group, told the committee SB 1303 "delivers a long overdue update to diabetes management in Virginia schools" and urged support for training, standard plans and clearer use of diabetes technology such as continuous glucose monitors.
Committee members pressed sponsors on the scope of training required of staff. Counsel and the bill’s advocates outlined three tiers: Level 1 annual awareness training for employees with regular student contact; Level 2 biannual training for instructional staff and activity sponsors; and Level 3 comprehensive training that permits trained staff, in the absence of a school nurse, to assist or perform diabetes‑related procedures under a student's diabetes medical management plan. The bill also requires a minimum number of Level 3‑trained staff at schools with diagnosed diabetes students.
Supporters said the liability protections and clear procedures would remove barriers that currently discourage staff from providing essential care. Opponents and some committee members expressed anxiety about training burdens on teachers and suggested routing technical or non‑core elements to the school health advisory committee for further review.
The subcommittee took the bill "bye for the day" to allow additional work and possible amendment, signaling continued interest and negotiation ahead of full‑committee consideration.
