Type 1 diabetes at school in South Dakota
What South Dakota 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 | No source found |
| Phone for the CGM | No source found |
Can trained school staff give insulin?
With limits
Board of Nursing rules let a registered nurse delegate subcutaneous insulin to a trained nursing assistant under a written protocol, when a licensed nurse is not available to give the insulin (ARSD 20:48:04.01:11, 20:48:04.01:16). The school nurse coordinates and supervises delegated school health services (SDCL 13-33A-1). (sdlegislature.gov)
The American Diabetes Association’s South Dakota page reads this differently: ADA answers yes through nurse delegation; this entry counts the rule's limit to times when a licensed nurse is not available as partial.
Can trained school staff give glucagon?
With limits
A school board may authorize an employee who completes training by a licensed health care provider to give nasal glucagon to a student (SDCL 13-33A-15). The statutes name only nasal glucagon. (sdlegislature.gov)
Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?
Yes
A student with diabetes may possess and self-administer prescribed medication and possess and use diabetes equipment and supplies on school property and at school events, with written parent authorization and a signed provider statement (SDCL 13-32-10, 13-32-11, as amended by HB 1143 in 2026). (sdlegislature.gov)
Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?
No source found
No South Dakota Department of Education or Department of Health diabetes plan form or school diabetes guideline was found. We found no statute or state agency page that answers this for South Dakota. Ask the school nurse or the state Department of Education, and see the American Diabetes Association’s South Dakota page.
Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?
No source found
No South Dakota statute or state guidance on CGM or phone use for diabetes at school was found. We found no statute or state agency page that answers this for South Dakota. Ask the school nurse or the state Department of Education, and see the American Diabetes Association’s South Dakota page.
Also in South Dakota
South Dakota HB 1143 (2026) added diabetes medication, equipment and supplies to the student self-administration law. Schools may also stock nasal glucagon under SDCL 13-33A-12. (mylrc.sdlegislature.gov (PDF); sdlegislature.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
- sdlegislature.gov: “when a licensed nurse is not available to administer the insulin, in accordance with §§ 20:48:04.01:16 and 20:48:04.01:17”
- sdlegislature.gov: “Before a registered nurse may delegate insulin administration by the subcutaneous route to a nursing assistant, the registered nurse must develop a written protocol”
- sdlegislature.gov: “The registered nurse is responsible for the training and supervision of any school employee to whom provision of any of the services listed in this section is delegated.”
- sdlegislature.gov: “The board of a school district or the governing board of a nonpublic school may authorize an employee to administer nasal glucagon to a student if the employee completes training, provided by a licensed health care provider, that addresses: (1) Recognizing the symptoms of severe hypoglycemia;”
- sdlegislature.gov: “Any student may possess and self-administer prescription medication, and possess and use related equipment and supplies, while on school property or at a school-related event or activity only if:”
- sdlegislature.gov: “(3) "Related equipment and supplies," medical equipment and supplies necessary for a student's management and treatment of diabetes;”
- mylrc.sdlegislature.gov (PDF): “An Act to authorize the possession and self -administration of diabetes medications by a student on school property and at school-related events and activities.”
- sdlegislature.gov: “A licensed health care professional may prescribe nasal glucagon in the name of a school district or nonpublic school”
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).