Diabetes at school, by state

Type 1 diabetes at school in Kentucky

What Kentucky 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

Each public and private school must have at least one trained school employee on duty all school day to give or assist with insulin, and this is not the practice of nursing (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 158.838(1), (11)). (apps.legislature.ky.gov)

Can trained school staff give glucagon?

Yes

The same trained employee gives glucagon to a student with diabetes who has hypoglycemia (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 158.838(1)). Schools are also encouraged to stock undesignated glucagon (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 158.836). (apps.legislature.ky.gov)

Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?

Yes

With a parent's written request and the health care practitioner's written authorization, a student may check blood glucose, give insulin, treat lows and highs in the school setting and at school activities, and carry supplies at all times (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 158.838(7)). (apps.legislature.ky.gov)

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

With limits

No state diabetes medical management plan form was found. The Kentucky Department of Education's medication administration training manual for non-licensed school personnel covers diabetes emergencies and refers to an individual health care plan or Emergency Diabetes Care Plan. (education.ky.gov (PDF))

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

Yes

Each district must restrict student phone use during instructional time, but the restricted devices do not include a device a student is authorized to use under the IDEA, the ADA, or the Rehabilitation Act (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 158.165, as amended by 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 90). CGM is not named. (apps.legislature.ky.gov (PDF))

Also in Kentucky

Each school is encouraged to stock undesignated glucagon in at least two locations (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 158.836). A school may not refuse a student because it has no full-time school nurse (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 158.838(8)). (apps.legislature.ky.gov)

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.legislature.ky.gov: “shall have at least one (1) school employee at each school who has met the requirements of KRS 156.502 on duty during the entire school day to administer or assist with the self-administration of the following medication:”
• apps.legislature.ky.gov: “2. Insulin subcutaneously, through the insulin delivery method used by the student and at the times and under the conditions noted in the health care practitioner's written statement under subsection (2)(a)2. of this section;”
• apps.legislature.ky.gov: “The administration of the medications listed under subsection (1)(a) of this section by school employees shall not constitute the practice of nursing and shall be exempt from all applicable statutory and regulatory provisions that restrict the activities that may be delegated to or performed by a person who is not a licensed health care professional;”
• apps.legislature.ky.gov: “1. Glucagon subcutaneously to students with diabetes who are experiencing hypoglycemia or other conditions noted in the health care practitioner's written statement under subsection (2)(a)2. of this section;”
• apps.legislature.ky.gov: “A student shall be permitted to possess on his or her person at all times necessary supplies and equipment to perform these monitoring and treatment functions.”
• apps.legislature.ky.gov: “Upon the written request of the parent or guardian of the student and written authorization by the student's health care practitioner, 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,”
• education.ky.gov (PDF): “Students who receive insulin for the treatment of diabetes should have a written individual health care plan (IHP) or Emergency Diabetes Care Plan/Action Plan describing how to treat all these symptoms according to the severity of the hypoglycemia.”
• apps.legislature.ky.gov (PDF): “(b) Does not include any device a student is authorized to use pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. sec. 1400 et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. sec. 12101 et seq., or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. sec. 701 et seq., or successor acts.”
• apps.legislature.ky.gov: “Each school is encouraged to stock undesignated glucagon as permitted under KRS 158.837 in a minimum of two (2) locations in the school, including but not limited to the school office and athletic office,”
• apps.legislature.ky.gov: “2. The school does not have a full-time school nurse; or 3. The school does not have school employees who are trained in accordance with KRS 156.502 and assigned to provide care under this section.”

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).