Type 1 diabetes at school in Georgia
What Georgia 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
In the absence of the school nurse, trained diabetes personnel give insulin under the student's diabetes medical management plan. Trained diabetes personnel are school employees who volunteer to be trained (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-8-.18, implementing O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779). (apps.gadoe.org (PDF))
The American Diabetes Association’s Georgia page reads this differently: ADA answers yes and does not mention that trained personnel are volunteers who act in the absence of the school nurse.
Can trained school staff give glucagon?
With limits
The same rule applies to glucagon: in the absence of the school nurse, volunteer trained diabetes personnel give it (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-8-.18). (apps.gadoe.org (PDF))
The American Diabetes Association’s Georgia page reads this differently: ADA answers yes and does not mention that trained personnel are volunteers who act in the absence of the school nurse.
Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?
Yes
On a parent's written request and if the diabetes medical management plan authorizes it, a student may check blood glucose, give insulin, treat lows and highs anywhere at school, and carry all supplies at all times (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-8-.18). (apps.gadoe.org (PDF))
Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?
Yes
The Georgia Department of Education publishes Guidelines for the Care Needed for Students with Diabetes (updated July 2023). (login.community.gadoe.org)
Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?
Yes
The Distraction-Free Education Act (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.8) restricts personal electronic devices at school, but a student whose IEP, Section 504 Plan, or medical plan explicitly requires a device for medical purposes may access it as the plan requires. The Department of Education's June 2026 guidance applies this exemption to a medical condition monitored by a cell phone; CGM is not named. (lor2.gadoe.org (PDF))
Also in Georgia
Each school with a student with diabetes must have at least two employees trained under the state guidelines, and the school nurse or at least one trained diabetes personnel must be on site during regular school hours (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-8-.18). (apps.gadoe.org (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
- apps.gadoe.org (PDF): “the school nurse or, in the absence of the school nurse, trained diabetes personnel shall perform functions including, but not limited to, responding to blood glucose levels that are outside of the student's target range; administering glucagon; administering insulin, or assisting a student in administering insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses;”
- apps.gadoe.org (PDF): “(c) Trained diabetes personnel - a school employee who volunteers to be trained in accordance with this rule. Such employee shall not be required to be a health care professional.”
- apps.gadoe.org (PDF): “Upon written request of a student's parent or guardian and if authorized by the student's diabetes medical management plan, a student with diabetes shall be permitted to perform blood glucose checks, administer insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses, treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and otherwise attend to the monitoring and treatment of his or her diabetes in the classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds, and at any school related activity, and he or she shall be permitted to possess on his or her person at all times all necessary supplies and equipment to perform such monitoring and treatment functions.”
- login.community.gadoe.org: “These guidelines are to help schools and school districts establish a safer learning environment for students with diabetes.”
- lor2.gadoe.org (PDF): “A student whose Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or medical plan explicitly mandates the use of a personal electronic device for medical or educational purposes shall be permitted to access the device as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the respective program or plan.”
- lor2.gadoe.org (PDF): “What if a child has an IEP, 504 plan or medical condition that must be monitored by their cell phone? Georgia's Distraction-Free Education Act specifies an exemption for students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or medical plan explicitly mandates the use of personal electronic devices.”
- apps.gadoe.org (PDF): “two school employees trained in accordance with the Georgia Department of Education's, Guidelines for the Care Needed for Students with Diabetes in each school that has a student with diabetes.”
- apps.gadoe.org (PDF): “The school nurse or at least one trained diabetes personnel shall be on site at each school and available during regular school hours to provide care to each student with a diabetes medical management plan being implemented by the school.”
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).