Diabetes at school, by state

Type 1 diabetes at school in Utah

What Utah 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

The school nurse may delegate routine diabetes care to unlicensed assistive personnel, but the Nurse Practice Act rule allows delegation only of a scheduled (mealtime) insulin dose (Utah Admin. Code R156-31b-701b, as described in the Department of Health and Human Services standards of care). (heal.utah.gov (PDF))

The American Diabetes Association’s Utah page reads this differently: ADA answers yes and quotes the older rule R156-31b-701a, which allowed scheduled or correction doses; current state guidance limits delegation to mealtime doses.

Can trained school staff give glucagon?

With limits

After a parent's glucagon authorization, a public school must train two or more volunteer school personnel, and a trained person may give glucagon when a licensed health care professional is not immediately available (Utah Code § 53G-9-504). (le.utah.gov; heal.utah.gov (PDF))

The American Diabetes Association’s Utah page reads this differently: ADA answers yes; it does not mention the condition that a licensed health care professional is not immediately available.

Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?

Yes

A public school must let a student possess and self-administer diabetes medication, defined to include related devices, supplies and equipment, with a signed parent statement and a health care provider statement (Utah Code § 53G-9-506). (le.utah.gov)

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

Yes

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services publishes a diabetes medical management plan (DMMP) form and standards of care for diabetes management in the school setting. (heal.utah.gov (PDF))

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

Yes

Each LEA must allow a student to use a cellphone or smart watch to address a medical necessity or under an IEP or Section 504 plan (Utah Code § 53G-7-227). Department of Health and Human Services standards of care give CGM guidance, including that staff need not monitor a CGM continuously unless an alarm sounds. (le.utah.gov; heal.utah.gov (PDF))

Also in Utah

Utah's school diabetes statutes were renumbered from Title 53A to Title 53G (glucagon: § 53G-9-504; diabetes medication: § 53G-9-506). A public school must let a student or school personnel possess or store prescribed glucagon. (le.utah.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

• heal.utah.gov (PDF): “In some cases, it is appropriate to delegate the daily care to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), or lay staff.”
• heal.utah.gov (PDF): “The Utah Nurse Practice Act Rule only allows for the delegation of "a scheduled dose of insulin" which has been defined as mealtime doses only (R156-31b-701b).”
• le.utah.gov: “A public school shall, within a reasonable time after receiving a glucagon authorization, train two or more school personnel who volunteer to be trained in the administration of glucagon, with training provided by the school nurse or another qualified, licensed medical professional.” (checked against the text the page loads)
• le.utah.gov: “a licensed health care professional is not immediately available.” (checked against the text the page loads)
• heal.utah.gov (PDF): “If glucagon is ordered, trained personnel should be available to administer it.”
• le.utah.gov: “A public school shall permit a student to possess or possess and self-administer diabetes medication if:” (checked against the text the page loads)
• le.utah.gov: “As used in this section, "diabetes medication" means prescription or nonprescription medication used to treat diabetes, including related medical devices, supplies, and equipment used to treat diabetes.” (checked against the text the page loads)
• heal.utah.gov (PDF): “The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has created a diabetes medical management plan (DMMP) which is a combination form that includes the plan to manage the student's diabetes, the physician's orders, and signatures of both the parent and the healthcare provider.”
• le.utah.gov: “shall establish a policy that allows a student to use a cellphone, smart watch, AI glasses, or emerging technology:” (checked against the text the page loads)
• le.utah.gov: “to address a medical necessity; and” (checked against the text the page loads)
• heal.utah.gov (PDF): “Continuous monitoring of a CGM is not required by school personnel unless the alarm sounds indicating a possible high or low glucose reading.”
• heal.utah.gov (PDF): “UAPs should not be asked to follow CGM arrows, since this practice requires nursing judgment.”
• le.utah.gov: “A public school shall permit a student or school personnel to possess or store prescribed glucagon so that it will be available for administration in an emergency in accordance with this section.” (checked against the text the page loads)

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).