Type 1 diabetes at school in Arkansas
What Arkansas law and the state’s own guidance say about insulin, glucagon, supplies and phones at school, with each source quoted. Checked 2026-10-06.
| Insulin by trained staff | With limits |
| Glucagon by trained staff | With limits |
| Self-carry | Yes |
| State plan or guidelines | Yes |
| Phone for the CGM | Yes |
Can trained school staff give insulin?
With limits
Licensed or classified school employees who volunteer and complete training may give insulin, but only when a school nurse is absent or unavailable (Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rules, Chapter 9; Ark. Code § 17-87-103). (dese.ade.arkansas.gov (PDF))
The American Diabetes Association’s Arkansas page reads this differently: ADA answers Yes for trained volunteers and does not mention the limit to times when a school nurse is absent or unavailable.
Can trained school staff give glucagon?
With limits
Trained volunteer school employees may give glucagon, but only when a school nurse is absent or unavailable (Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rules, Chapter 9; Ark. Code § 17-87-103). (dese.ade.arkansas.gov (PDF))
The American Diabetes Association’s Arkansas page reads this differently: ADA answers Yes for trained volunteers and does not mention the limit to times when a school nurse is absent or unavailable.
Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?
Yes
With a parent's written request and the treating physician's written authorization, a student may check blood glucose, give insulin, treat lows and highs, and carry diabetes supplies in class, on school grounds, and at school activities (Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rules, Chapter 9, Section III; Ark. Code § 6-18-711). (dese.ade.arkansas.gov (PDF))
Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?
Yes
The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education posts a Diabetes Medical Management Plan form and insulin and glucagon training materials for volunteer school staff on its School Health Personnel Training page. (dese.ade.arkansas.gov (PDF))
Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?
Yes
Act 122 of 2025 (the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act) limits student phone use during the school day, but a district policy may not stop a student from using a device when the use is in the student's IEP or Section 504 plan. The Act does not name diabetes or CGM. (arkleg.state.ar.us)
Also in Arkansas
SB 142 of 2025 became Act 122, the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing sets minimum guidelines for approved insulin and glucagon training programs for volunteer school staff. (arkleg.state.ar.us; dese.ade.arkansas.gov (PDF))
Federal law applies in every state
Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act can cover a student with diabetes at a public school in every state, whatever the state law says; a 504 plan is where the student’s care at school is written down. The federal rules, with sources.
Sources, quoted
- dese.ade.arkansas.gov (PDF): “Licensed or classified personnel employed by an Arkansas public school district or open-enrollment public charter school who volunteer and successfully complete training for the administration of insulin and/or glucagon to students diagnosed with diabetes.”
- dese.ade.arkansas.gov (PDF): “Volunteer school personnel who are designated as UAPs and trained to administer insulin and/or glucagon shall administer insulin and/or glucagon only in the absence or unavailability of a school nurse.”
- dese.ade.arkansas.gov (PDF): “Upon written request of a parent or guardian of a student with diabetes and written authorization by the treating physician of the student, a student, in the classroom, in a designated area at the school, on school grounds, or at a school-related activity may: 1. Perform blood glucose checks 2. Administer insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses 3. Treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia 4. Possess on his or her person the necessary supplies and equipment to perform diabetes monitoring and treatment functions.”
- dese.ade.arkansas.gov (PDF): “Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) This plan should be completed by the student's personal diabetes health care team, including the parents/guardians.”
- arkleg.state.ar.us: “prohibit a student from using a personal electronic device during the school”
- arkleg.state.ar.us: “(B) Plan developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act”
- arkleg.state.ar.us: “Notification that SB142 is now Act 122”
- dese.ade.arkansas.gov (PDF): “MINIMUM GUIDELINES FOR ASBN APPROVED INSULIN & GLUCAGON ADMINISTRATION TRAINING PROGRAMS ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF NURSING”
Legal information, not legal advice. Laws change; the source page is the authority when it differs, and this page is rechecked each July. For help with a school, the American Diabetes Association’s legal advocates answer at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).