Type 1 diabetes at school in Ohio
What Ohio 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 | With limits |
| 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?
With limits
Diabetes medication may be given by a school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, by a school employee trained in diabetes care, and the training covers giving insulin (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.7112(C), (D)). (codes.ohio.gov)
The American Diabetes Association’s Ohio page reads this differently: ADA answers yes and does not mention that trained staff act in the absence of a school nurse.
Can trained school staff give glucagon?
With limits
The same rule applies to glucagon: a trained school employee may give it in the absence of a school nurse (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.7112(C), (D)). Districts may also keep stock glucagon (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.7115). (codes.ohio.gov)
The American Diabetes Association’s Ohio page reads this differently: ADA answers yes and does not mention that trained staff act in the absence of a school nurse.
Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?
Yes
With a parent request and practitioner authorization, a capable student may perform diabetes care tasks anywhere at school and at school activities and carry all supplies at all times (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.7112(H)). (codes.ohio.gov)
Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?
Yes
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce publishes a Supporting Students with Diabetes page. For the plan itself, it points to the American Diabetes Association's sample diabetes management plans rather than a state form. (education.ohio.gov)
Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?
Yes
A district cell phone policy must let a student use a phone to monitor or address a health concern if the board receives a written statement from the student's physician requiring that use (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.753). CGM is not named. (codes.ohio.gov)
Also in Ohio
Districts may procure stock injectable or nasal glucagon for each school (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.7115). A board may train bus drivers who transport a student with diabetes to recognize hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia (Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.7112(F)). (codes.ohio.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
- codes.ohio.gov: “diabetes medication may be administered under this section by a school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, a school employee who is trained in diabetes care under division (E) of this section.”
- codes.ohio.gov: “(g) Administering insulin, glucagon, or other medication to a student in accordance with an order issued by the student's treating practitioner and recording the results of the administration;”
- codes.ohio.gov: “(c) In the case of severe hypoglycemia, administering glucagon and other emergency treatments as prescribed;”
- codes.ohio.gov: “The student shall be permitted to perform diabetes care tasks in a classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds, and at any school-related activity, and to possess on the student's self at all times all necessary supplies and equipment to perform these tasks.”
- education.ohio.gov: “Having a personalized diabetes medical management plan in place for each student with type 1 diabetes is essential to successful management of a student's diabetes during the school day.”
- education.ohio.gov: “The American Diabetes Association offers sample diabetes management plans, 504 plans, and emergency plans.”
- codes.ohio.gov: “A district board shall permit a student to use a cellular telephone or other electronic communications device to monitor or address a health concern if the board receives a written statement from the student's physician requiring such use.”
- codes.ohio.gov: “The board of education of each city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district may procure injectable or nasally administered glucagon for each school operated by the district to have on the school premises for use in emergency situations identified under division (D)(5) of this section”
- codes.ohio.gov: “(2) A bus driver employed by a school district or chartered nonpublic school responsible for the transportation of a student with diabetes.”
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).