Type 1 diabetes at school in Vermont
What Vermont 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 | Yes |
Can trained school staff give insulin?
With limits
The Department of Health school medication standard lets only the school nurse, the parent, or the nurse's trained delegatee (unlicensed assistive personnel) give medication at school. It does not name insulin, so the nurse decides whether to delegate it. (healthvermont.gov (PDF))
The American Diabetes Association’s Vermont page reads this differently: ADA says the law is unclear and cites a 2007 Board of Nursing position that allows delegation of insulin by pump only.
Can trained school staff give glucagon?
With limits
The same Department of Health medication standard allows the school nurse to delegate medication administration to trained unlicensed assistive personnel; it does not name glucagon. (healthvermont.gov (PDF))
The American Diabetes Association’s Vermont page reads this differently: ADA says the law is unclear and relies on the general emergency-assistance exception in 26 V.S.A. § 1583.
Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?
Yes
The Department of Health medication standard names insulin as a rescue drug that is an exception to keeping medication with a designated adult, with written permission on file for a student to carry it. 16 V.S.A. § 1387(e) lets schools adopt policies on self-carry of emergency medication for conditions other than asthma and allergies. (healthvermont.gov (PDF); legislature.vermont.gov)
The American Diabetes Association’s Vermont page reads this differently: ADA says the law is not clear; it does not cite the Department of Health standard that names insulin as a rescue drug students may carry.
Does the state publish a diabetes care plan form or guidelines?
No source found
No Vermont Department of Health or Agency of Education diabetes medical management plan form or school diabetes guideline was found. We found no statute or state agency page that answers this for Vermont. Ask the school nurse or the state Department of Education, and see the American Diabetes Association’s Vermont page.
Can a student keep a phone for the CGM in class?
Yes
The state model policy that bans student cell phone use from arrival to dismissal must allow use required by a student's individualized health care plan, IEP, or 504 plan (16 V.S.A. § 583). It does not mention CGMs. (legislature.vermont.gov)
Also in Vermont
The cell phone policy requirement (16 V.S.A. § 583) was added by Vermont Act No. 72 of the 2025-2026 session. (legislature.vermont.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
- healthvermont.gov (PDF): “Only the school nurse/associate school nurse, the student's parent/guardian, or the school nurse's/associate school nurse's delegatee (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel [UAP]) may administer medication in the school setting.”
- healthvermont.gov (PDF): “Other non-medical personnel (also referred to as Assistive Personnel) may cover basic first aid and/or administer medication as delegated by the SN/ASN.”
- healthvermont.gov (PDF): “Exceptions to this policy are those medications deemed "rescue drugs" such as Insulin, epinephrine auto-injectors and rescue inhalers. Written permission shall be on file for any student to carry self-administering medications.”
- legislature.vermont.gov: “Nothing in this section shall prohibit a public school district or an approved independent school from adopting school policies and individual plans of action regarding the possession and self-administration of emergency medication for medical conditions other than asthma and life-threatening allergies.”
- legislature.vermont.gov: “The model policy shall provide exceptions for students to use a cell phone or personal electronic device if such use is: (A) required as part of a student's individualized health care plan, individualized education program, or 504 plan, which shall be documented according to applicable State and federal law”
- legislature.vermont.gov (PDF): “Subchapter 7. Cell Phone, Personal Electronic Device, and Social Media Use in Schools”
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).