Type 1 diabetes at school in Minnesota
What Minnesota 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 | No source found |
Can trained school staff give insulin?
Yes
The Nurse Practice Act does not prohibit nursing services by an unlicensed assistive person who has been delegated the task and is supervised by a registered nurse (Minn. Stat. § 148.271(4)). The Minnesota Guidelines for Medication Administration in Schools (MDH, revised June 2015) say a licensed school nurse or RN may delegate insulin administration to trained staff, so this is through nurse delegation. (revisor.mn.gov; health.state.mn.us (PDF))
Can trained school staff give glucagon?
Yes
Unlicensed assistive personnel may give medication through nurse delegation (Minn. Stat. § 148.271(4)). The Minnesota Guidelines for Medication Administration in Schools require training for school personnel who give emergency medications such as glucagon. (revisor.mn.gov; health.state.mn.us (PDF))
Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?
Yes
The Minnesota Guidelines for Medication Administration in Schools say a student with diabetes may do their own glucose monitoring and insulin administration, and that an annual parent and prescriber authorization on file allows a student to carry medication for self-administration. The statutes do not name diabetes. (health.state.mn.us (PDF))
Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?
Yes
The Minnesota Department of Health publishes Diabetes Resources for School Nurses, which links the ADA Diabetes Medical Management Plan, and the Minnesota Guidelines for Medication Administration in Schools. MDH does not publish its own DMMP form. (health.state.mn.us (PDF))
Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?
No source found
Each district and charter school must adopt a student cell phone policy (Minn. Stat. § 121A.73), but the statute sets no medical exemption. No state guidance on CGM or phone use for diabetes was found. We found no statute or state agency page that answers this for Minnesota. Ask the school nurse or the state Department of Education, and see the American Diabetes Association’s Minnesota page.
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
- revisor.mn.gov: “(4) The provision of a nursing or nursing-related service by an unlicensed assistive person who has been delegated or assigned the specific function and is supervised by a registered nurse or monitored by a licensed practical nurse.”
- health.state.mn.us (PDF): “17. Can a student who has diabetes perform his/her own glucose monitoring and insulin administration, either by syringe or pump? Yes. If not done by the student, it may be performed by an LSN/RN or delegated to others who are trained to assist in the procedure.”
- health.state.mn.us (PDF): “Training must be provided for school personnel who administer emergency medications such as rescue inhalers, Diastat™, epinephrine auto injectors, and Glucagon™.”
- health.state.mn.us (PDF): “17. Can a student who has diabetes perform his/her own glucose monitoring and insulin administration, either by syringe or pump? Yes.”
- health.state.mn.us (PDF): “An authorization form completed and renewed annually by the parent/legal guardian and physician licensed health care prescriber and on file in the school will allow a student to responsibly carry medications for self-administration”
- health.state.mn.us (PDF): “Medical Emergency Plans Diabetes Medical Management Plan (https://diabetes.org/advocacy/safe-at-school- state-laws/diabetes-medical-management-plan)”
- health.state.mn.us (PDF): “These resources may be used in care planning for students, to strengthen competency for a nurse, or may be used to train other people performing these cares.”
- revisor.mn.gov: “A school district or charter school must adopt a policy on students' possession and use of cell phones in school by March 15, 2025.”
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).