Type 1 diabetes at school in New Jersey
What New Jersey 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 | No |
| 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?
No
N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.1(a)2 limits who may give medication at school to physicians, nurses, parents, self-administering students, and volunteer delegates for epinephrine and glucagon only. Insulin is not on the list for unlicensed staff. (nj.gov (PDF))
Can trained school staff give glucagon?
With limits
Under N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.14, the school nurse designates employees who volunteer to give glucagon for severe hypoglycemia. They may give it only when the nurse is not physically present. (nj.gov)
Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?
Yes
Under N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.15, a student whose healthcare plan allows it may manage diabetes in the classroom, anywhere on school grounds, and at school activities. The Department of Education FAQ says this includes checking blood glucose, giving insulin, and treating lows and highs, with written parent and physician authorization. (nj.gov)
Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?
Yes
The New Jersey Department of Education publishes a sample Diabetes Medical Management Plan/Individualized Healthcare Plan and a diabetes guidelines page for schools. (nj.gov (PDF); nj.gov)
Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?
Yes
P.L. 2025, c. 195 (N.J.S.A. 18A:36-40b, approved January 8, 2026) requires bell-to-bell device policies from 2026-2027, with an exception for prescribed care documented by a health care professional. Department of Education guidance names a smartwatch used to monitor blood glucose as an example accommodation. (pub.njleg.state.nj.us (PDF); nj.gov (PDF))
The American Diabetes Association’s New Jersey page reads this differently: ADA says New Jersey has no statewide cell phone restriction; P.L. 2025, c. 195 (January 2026) now requires district policies with a health-care exception.
Also in New Jersey
New Jersey law requires notice to bus drivers who transport a student with diabetes, including how to treat hypoglycemia and whom to contact. School employees, including bus drivers, are not liable for good-faith acts under the diabetes law. (nj.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
- nj.gov (PDF): “Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.1(a)2, school health services provided in a school setting restrict the individuals permitted to administer medication to students to the following: i. The school physician. ii. A certified school nurse or noncertified nurse. iii. A substitute school nurse employed by the school district. iv. The student's parent.”
- nj.gov (PDF): “vii. Other employees who volunteer to be designated as a delegate and trained to administer glucagon pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.14.”
- nj.gov: “The law permits the school nurse to designate, in consultation with the board of education, additional employees of the school district who volunteer to administer glucagon to a student experiencing severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when the nurse is not physically present.”
- nj.gov: “Can a school employee be required to serve as a trained delegate? No. The law specifically states the individual must be a volunteer.”
- nj.gov: “As provided in the student's IHP, a student is permitted to attend to management and care as needed in the classroom, in any area of the school or grounds, or at any school-related activity.”
- nj.gov: “Self-management activities might include testing blood glucose levels, administering insulin, and treating hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.”
- nj.gov: “The law states that the possession and use of syringes consistent with the purposes of diabetes management shall not be considered a violation of applicable statutes and regulations.”
- nj.gov (PDF): “SAMPLE Diabetes Medical Management Plan/Individualized Healthcare Plan Part A: Contact Information must be completed by the parent/guardian.”
- nj.gov: “Guidelines for the Care of Students with Diabetes in the School Setting”
- pub.njleg.state.nj.us (PDF): “(b) if necessary for the provision and administration of a student's prescribed care consistent with the submission by a parent or guardian of documentation from a health care professional;”
- nj.gov (PDF): “Examples of accommodations may include using a smartwatch to monitor blood glucose levels, managing anxiety through a guided app, or communicating with a caregiver as part of a behavioral plan in the student's IEP, amongst others.”
- nj.gov (PDF): “Districts should clarify whether specific health-monitoring devices (e.g., passive fitness bands or glucose monitors) are exempt from restrictions.”
- nj.gov: “The law requires bus drivers who transport student with diabetes to be given notice of the student's condition, how to treat hypoglycemia, who to contact in an emergency, and parent contact information.”
- nj.gov: “No school employees, including the school nurse, bus driver, bus aide or other officer or agent of the board of education shall be held liable for any good faith act or omission consistent with the provisions of this act”
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).