Diabetes at school, by state

Type 1 diabetes at school in Indiana

What Indiana law and the state’s own guidance say about insulin, glucagon, supplies and phones at school, with each source quoted. Checked 2026-10-06.

Can trained school staff give insulin?

Yes

At each school with a student with diabetes, the principal must seek school employees to serve as volunteer health aides. Their training includes giving glucagon and insulin, and an aide acts only after the parent signs an agreement (Ind. Code §§ 20-34-5-14, 20-34-5-15, 20-34-5-16). (in.gov (PDF))

Can trained school staff give glucagon?

Yes

The required training for volunteer health aides includes giving glucagon (Ind. Code § 20-34-5-15). (in.gov (PDF))

Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?

Yes

If the student's individualized health plan finds the student capable, the school must allow the student to check blood glucose, give insulin, treat lows and highs, carry supplies at any time, and do diabetes care anywhere at school and at school activities (Ind. Code § 20-34-5-17). (in.gov (PDF))

Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?

With limits

The Department of Education has a diabetes page that lists the statute and guidance materials, including the federal NDEP school guide and a Department of Health fact sheet. No state diabetes management and treatment plan form was found; the statute says the student's practitioner and parent prepare the plan (Ind. Code § 20-34-5-12). (in.gov; in.gov (PDF))

Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?

Yes

Ind. Code § 20-26-5-40.7 (Senate Enrolled Act 185, 2024) requires a policy that bans wireless devices during instructional time but permits use in an emergency or to manage the student's health care. A policy may not bar use that is in the student's IEP or 504 plan. The statute does not name diabetes or CGM. (iga.in.gov (PDF))

Also in Indiana

Indiana's Care of Students With Diabetes chapter (Ind. Code 20-34-5, P.L.166-2007). A school employee may not be disciplined for refusing to serve as a volunteer health aide. A school must give an information sheet to the person who transports or supervises the student during an off-campus school activity. A school corporation may not assign a student to a school based only on whether it has volunteer health aides. (in.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

• in.gov (PDF): “(1) seek school employees to serve as volunteer health aides; and (2) make efforts to ensure that the school has an adequate number of volunteer health aides to care for students.”
• in.gov (PDF): “(4) Properly administering glucagon, insulin, or other emergency treatments as prescribed, and recording the results.”
• in.gov (PDF): “When necessary, a volunteer health aide may perform the tasks necessary to assist a student in carrying out the student's individualized health plan, in compliance with the training guidelines provided under section 15 of this chapter.”
• in.gov (PDF): “(1) Performing blood glucose level checks. (2) Administering insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses. (3) Treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.”
• in.gov (PDF): “(4) Possessing on the student's person at any time the supplies or equipment necessary to monitor and care for the student's diabetes. (5) Otherwise attending to the management and care of the student's diabetes in the classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds, or at any school related activity.”
• in.gov: “Guidance Materials NDEP - Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel CDC - Children and Adolescents with Diabetes - How Can You Help? IDOH - Diabetes in Youth Fact Sheet for Parents and School Staff”
• in.gov (PDF): “(a) A diabetes management and treatment plan must be prepared and implemented for a student with diabetes for use during school hours or at a school related activity.”
• iga.in.gov (PDF): “(3) permits a student to use a wireless communication device in the event of an emergency or to manage the student's”
• iga.in.gov (PDF): “(d) The policy adopted and implemented under subsection (c) may not prohibit a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time if the use of the wireless communication device is included in the student's: (1) individualized education program; or (2) plan developed under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794.”
• in.gov (PDF): “A school employee may not be subject to any disciplinary action for refusing to serve as a volunteer health aide.”
• in.gov (PDF): “A school shall provide the individual who is responsible for providing transportation for or supervising a student with diabetes during an off-campus school related activity an information sheet that:”
• in.gov (PDF): “A school corporation may not restrict the assignment of a student to a particular school on the sole basis of whether the school has volunteer health aides.”

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).