Diabetes at school, by state

Type 1 diabetes at school in Tennessee

What Tennessee law and the state’s own guidance say about insulin, glucagon, supplies and phones at school, with each source quoted. Checked 2026-10-06.

Can trained school staff give insulin?

With limits

School staff who volunteer and are trained by a registered nurse may give daily insulin based on the student's individual health plan, but a public school nurse who is available and on site must give it (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-50-1602; State Board of Education Policy 4.205). (tn.gov (PDF))

The American Diabetes Association’s Tennessee page reads this differently: ADA answers yes; it quotes the same volunteer and nurse-on-site limits, which this entry counts as partial.

Can trained school staff give glucagon?

With limits

School staff who volunteer and are trained by a registered nurse may give glucagon in emergency situations; a public school nurse who is available and on site must provide the service (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-50-1602; State Board of Education Policy 4.205). (tn.gov (PDF))

The American Diabetes Association’s Tennessee page reads this differently: ADA answers yes; it quotes the same volunteer-only and emergency-only limits, which this entry counts as partial.

Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?

Yes

On written parent request, and if the medical management plan and individual health plan include it, a student may check blood glucose, give insulin, treat lows and highs, and carry supplies including sharps anywhere on school grounds and at school activities (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-50-1602). (tn.gov (PDF))

Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?

Yes

The Tennessee Departments of Education and Health publish the Guidelines for Use of Health Care Professionals and Health Care Procedures in a School Setting, which include a sample Diabetes Medical Management Plan and other diabetes forms. (tn.gov (PDF))

Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?

Yes

Public Chapter 103 (2025), which adds a section to Tenn. Code Ann. Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 3, requires each school device policy to let a student use a wireless communication device to manage the student's health. The state school health guidelines also name CGM use in the duties of trained staff. (publications.tnsosfiles.com (PDF); tn.gov (PDF))

Also in Tennessee

Tennessee HB 932, Public Chapter 103 (2025), sets the school phone policy rules. The state guidelines tell the school nurse to seek at least two trained volunteers, and State Board of Education Policy 4.205 requires glucagon and insulin training to be repeated each year. (publications.tnsosfiles.com (PDF); tn.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

• tn.gov (PDF): “who volunteer under no duress or pressure and who have been properly trained by a registered nurse employed or contracted by the LEA may administer glucagon in emergency situations and may administer daily insulin to a student based on that student's individual health plan (IHP).”
• tn.gov (PDF): “However, if a public school nurse is available and on site, the nurse shall provide this service to the student.”
• tn.gov (PDF): “otherwise attend to the care and management of the student's diabetes in any area of the school or school grounds and at any school-related activity, and shall be permitted to possess on the student's person at all times all necessary diabetes monitoring and treatment supplies, including sharps.”
• tn.gov (PDF): “DIABETES FORMS I.5 1. Sample Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) 2. Sample Individualized Health Plan (IHP) 3. Sample Hypoglycemia Emergency Care Plan”
• publications.tnsosfiles.com (PDF): “(3) Permits a student to use a wireless communication device in the event of an emergency or to manage the student's health;”
• tn.gov (PDF): “Performs or assists a student with monitoring of blood sugar/glucose using a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system or a glucose monitor provided by the student's family”
• publications.tnsosfiles.com (PDF): “PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 103 HOUSE BILL NO. 932”
• tn.gov (PDF): “The public school nurse may train as many school personnel as volunteer and are willing to assist with the care of students with diabetes but should seek to ensure at least two (2) volunteers are available.”
• tn.gov (PDF): “raining provided to school personnel on the administration of glucagon and insulin shall be repeated annually and competencies shall be documented at least twice a year in the employee's personnel file.”

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).