Type 1 diabetes at school in Michigan
What Michigan 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 | Yes |
| Glucagon by trained staff | Yes |
| Self-carry | Yes |
| State plan or guidelines | Yes |
| Phone for the CGM | Yes |
Can trained school staff give insulin?
Yes
A school employee designated by the school administrator may give medication with written parent permission and under prescriber instructions, in the presence of another adult or in an emergency, and is not liable for acts in giving it (Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.1178). The State Board of Education Model Policy on the Management of Diabetes in the School Setting includes insulin administration in the training for designated trained diabetes personnel. (legislature.mi.gov; michigan.gov (PDF))
Can trained school staff give glucagon?
Yes
Designated school employees may give medication under Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.1178. The State Board model diabetes policy includes glucagon administration in the Level 3 training for designated trained diabetes personnel. (legislature.mi.gov; michigan.gov (PDF))
Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?
Yes
The State Board model medication policy lets a student with written parent and physician permission self-administer and carry their own medication. The model diabetes policy states that students should preferably be allowed to do diabetes care tasks in the classroom, anywhere on campus, or at any school activity. (michigan.gov (PDF))
Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?
Yes
The Michigan State Board of Education Model Policy on the Management of Diabetes in the School Setting contains sample forms, including a sample DMMP in Appendix C. (michigan.gov (PDF))
Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?
Yes
From the 2026-2027 school year, each district and public school academy must ban student wireless device use during instructional time, and the policy must exempt medically necessary devices (Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.1303a, 2026 PA 2). The statute does not name diabetes or CGM. (legislature.mi.gov)
The American Diabetes Association’s Michigan page reads this differently: ADA says Michigan has no statewide school cellphone restriction; Mich. Comp. Laws § 380.1303a (2026 PA 2, effective February 10, 2026) now requires one, with a medically necessary device exemption.
Also in Michigan
The State Board model diabetes policy recommends that at least three adults in a school have Level 3 diabetes training. (michigan.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
- legislature.mi.gov: “a school administrator, teacher, or other school employee designated by the school administrator, who in good faith administers medication to a pupil in the presence of another adult or in an emergency that threatens the life or health of the pupil, pursuant to written permission of the pupil's parent or guardian, and in compliance with the instructions of a physician, physician's assistant, or certified nurse practitioner is not liable in a criminal action or for civil damages as a result of an act or omission in the administration of the medication”
- michigan.gov (PDF): “Level 3 training For one or more school staff members designated as trained diabetes personnel who will perform or assist the student with diabetes care tasks.”
- michigan.gov (PDF): “General training on diabetes care tasks: o Blood glucose monitoring o Ketone testing (urine and blood) o Insulin administration”
- legislature.mi.gov: “a school administrator, teacher, or other school employee designated by the school administrator, who in good faith administers medication to a pupil in the presence of another adult or in an emergency that threatens the life or health of the pupil”
- michigan.gov (PDF): “o Insulin administration 6 o Glucagon administration o Basic carbohydrate counting”
- michigan.gov (PDF): “Self possession means that the pupil may carry medication on his/her person to allow for immediate and self determined administration.”
- michigan.gov (PDF): “A pupil whose parent/guardian and physician provide written permission will be able to self-administer and self-possess his/her own medications.”
- michigan.gov (PDF): “It is preferable that students be permitted to perform diabetes care tasks in the classroom, at every campus location, or at any school activity (e.g., testing blood glucose).”
- michigan.gov (PDF): “This model policy contains information and sample forms that can be used by school personnel to facilitate the communication needed to enable the student with diabetes to successfully manage his/her diabetes and continue to achieve academically.”
- michigan.gov (PDF): “A sample DMMP can be found in Appendix C.”
- legislature.mi.gov: “Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the board of a school district or the board of directors of a public school academy shall implement a wireless communications device policy that prohibits students from using a wireless communications device on school grounds during instructional time.”
- legislature.mi.gov: “(4) A wireless communications device policy implemented under this section must provide exemptions for all of the following: (a) Medically necessary devices.”
- michigan.gov (PDF): “Ideally, at least three adults should be trained as a Level 3.”
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).