Type 1 diabetes at school in New York
What New York 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
The NYSED Guidelines for Medication Management in Schools state that only a licensed health professional, the student, or the parent may give insulin at school, and a nurse may not direct unlicensed staff to do so. Trained unlicensed staff may only help a student who self-administers, for example by checking the student's carbohydrate math. (op.nysed.gov (PDF); nysed.gov (PDF))
Can trained school staff give glucagon?
With limits
N.Y. Educ. Law § 921 lets schools train unlicensed staff to give prescribed glucagon in an emergency when a licensed health professional is not available. Schools are permitted, not required, to do this training. (op.nysed.gov (PDF); nysed.gov (PDF))
Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?
Yes
With provider orders and parent consent, a student may carry and self-administer insulin, glucagon, and other diabetes supplies on school property and at any school function (N.Y. Educ. Law § 916-b). NYSED guidance says independent students may give insulin anywhere in the school setting and must not be sent to the health office to do so. (op.nysed.gov (PDF))
Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?
Yes
The NYSED Guidelines for Medication Management in Schools include a diabetes management section and say each student with diabetes must have an individualized written diabetes management plan. No blank state DMMP form was found on a NYSED page. (op.nysed.gov (PDF))
Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?
Yes
NYSED guidance says school staff respond to CGM alarms but do not follow trend data, and asks for written parent consent before a school device monitors a student's CGM. N.Y. Educ. Law § 2803 lets a school's device policy allow phone use where needed to manage a student's health care. (op.nysed.gov (PDF); nysed.gov (PDF); nysenate.gov)
Also in New York
Sources here are the NYSED Guidelines for Medication Management in Schools. The quotes come from the October 2022 edition; the current edition (updated August 2026) carries the same rules. Health care providers may state in writing that a parent may propose insulin dose adjustments, but the licensed professional makes the decision. (nysed.gov (PDF); op.nysed.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
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “In NYS schools, insulin may only be administered by an appropriately licensed health professional, the student, or the parent/guardian.”
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “An unlicensed staff member cannot administer insulin by syringe, insulin pen or enter any data into an insulin pump or push a button to administer insulin. A nurse or healthcare provider may not direct an unlicensed staff member to do so.”
- nysed.gov (PDF): “Unlicensed school personnel cannot administer insulin by syringe, insulin pen, or enter any data into an insulin pump, or push a button to administer insulin.”
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “Education Law §921 permits, but does not require , schools have RNs, NPs, PAs, and physicians train unlicensed school personnel to inject prescribe d glucagon or epinephrine auto injectors in emergency situations, where an appropriately licensed health professional is not available, to pupils who have a written healthcare provider order for such medication and written parental consent”
- nysed.gov (PDF): “Education Law Article 19 §921 permits, but does not require, schools have RNs, NPs, PAs, and physicians train unlicensed personnel to administer prescribed glucagon or epinephrine devices in emergency situations, where an appropriately licensed health professional is not available, to students who have a written health care provider order for such medication and written parent/guardian consent, during the school day”
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “Insulin, glucagon, and other diabetes supplies to manage their diabetes (Education Law §916-b).”
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “Independent Students will always need to carry their supplies with them and be permitted to administer their insulin anywhere in the school setting and at school sponsored events.”
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “Independent Students must not be required to go to a specific location such as the health office to administer their insulin to themselves or perform any other aspect of their diabetes management.”
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “Each student with diabetes is unique and must have an individualized detailed written diabetes management plan to assist personnel in meeting their needs while at school.”
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “Pump and CGM technology may allow parents to monitor readings from wherever the parent is located. School personnel should not follow trending data but should respond to CGM alarms.”
- nysed.gov (PDF): “Parent/guardian written consent should be obtained for electronically monitoring a student's CGM at school (via an app on a school issued cell phone, iPad etc.).”
- nysenate.gov: “The policy adopted and implemented pursuant to subdivision two of this section may authorize student use of an internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds: (i) if authorized by a teacher, principal, or the school district, charter school, or board of cooperative educational services for a specific educational purpose; (ii) where necessary for the management of a student's healthcare;” (the site blocks automated checks; checked by hand)
- nysed.gov (PDF): “NYSED Guidelines for Medication Management in Schools Last Updated August 2026”
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “GUIDELINES FOR MEDICATION MANAGEMENT IN SCHOOLS October 2022”
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “Likewise, healthcare providers of students with diabetes may specify in writing to the school, where appropriate, that the parent/guardian is sufficiently trained and experienced in adjusting the insulin dose of the student for the parent/guardian to propose adjustments of insulin administration during school time hours, and at school-sponsored events.”
- op.nysed.gov (PDF): “require the health care professional to make the ultimate decision after exercising their professional judgment.”
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).