2023 -- S 0013
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LC000327
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
Introduced By: Senators Kallman, Lawson, Valverde, Gu, McKenney, LaMountain,
Burke, and Ujifusa
Date Introduced: January 18, 2023
Referred To: Senate Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is 1
hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
16-21-42. Students with diabetes. 3
(a) Any school that has an enrolled student with diabetes shall provide training to all school 4
employees in the basics of diabetes care, how to identify when a student with diabetes needs 5
immediate or emergency medical attention, and whom to contact in the case of an emergency. 6
(b) Delegated care aides shall be trained to perform the tasks necessary to assist a student 7
with diabetes in accordance with the student’s diabetes care plan, including training to do the 8
following: 9
(1) Check blood glucose and records results; 10
(2) Recognize and respond to the symptoms of hypoglycemia according to the diabetes 11
care plan; 12
(3) Recognize and respond to the symptoms of hyperglycemia according to the diabetes 13
care plan; 14
(4) Estimate the number of carbohydrates in a snack or lunch; 15
(5) Administer insulin according to the student’s diabetes care plan and keep a record of 16
the amount administered; and 17
(6) Respond in an emergency, including administering glucagon and calling 911. 18
(c) Initial training of a delegated care aide shall be provided by a licensed healthcare 19
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provider with expertise in diabetes or a certified diabetic educator and individualized by a student’s 1
parent or legal guardian. Training must be consistent with the guidelines provided by the U.S. 2
Department of Health and Human Services in the guide for school personnel entitled “Helping the 3
Student with Diabetes Succeed”. Training shall be updated at least annually and at any time the 4
student’s diabetes care plan is amended. 5
(d) School nurses, where available, or health care providers may provide technical 6
assistance or consultation or both to delegated care aides. 7
(e) An information sheet shall be provided to any school employee or designee that 8
transports a student for school-sponsored activities. It shall identity the student with diabetes, 9
identify potential emergencies that may occur as a result of the student’s diabetes and the 10
appropriate responses to such emergencies, and provide emergency contact information. 11
(f) A school may maintain a supply of glucagon, prescribed in the name of the school, in 12
any secure location that is immediately accessible to a school nurse or a delegated care aide. Any 13
supply of undesignated glucagon must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s 14
instructions. A school nurse or delegated care aide may administer the undesignated glucagon if 15
that individual is authorized to administer the undesignated glucagon through a student’s diabetes 16
care plan and if the student’s prescribed glucagon is not available on-site or has expired. 17
Immediately after the administration of the undesignated glucagon, the school shall notify the 18
school nurse, unless the school nurse was the one administering the undesignated glucagon, and 19
the student’s parents or legal guardian and emergency contact, if known, and health care provider 20
of its use. 21
(g) For purposes of this section, “delegated care aide” means a school employee who has 22
agreed to receive training in diabetes care and to assist students in implementing a diabetes care 23
plan and has entered into an agreement with a parent or legal guardian and the school. 24
(h) For purposes of this section, “diabetes care plan” means a document that specifies the 25
diabetes-related services needed by a student at school and at school-sponsored activities or events, 26
and identifies the appropriate staff to provide and supervise these services. 27
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 28
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
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This act would allow schools to maintain on-site an undesignated supply of glucagon for 1
emergency purposes. This act would further provide for training of all school employees in the 2
basics of diabetes care of any school which has a student with diabetes and allow for further training 3
of delegated care aides for students with diabetes. 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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LC000327
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