Diabetes at school, by state

Type 1 diabetes at school in Virginia

What Virginia 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

Each school with a student with diabetes must have one or two employees trained in the administration of insulin (Va. Code § 22.1-274). A trained employee who is not a nurse, physician or physician assistant may assist with insulin only when no such professional is present, and only with prescriber authorization and parental consent. (law.lis.virginia.gov)

Can trained school staff give glucagon?

With limits

Trained school employees may give glucagon under Va. Code § 22.1-274, but only when no nurse, physician or physician assistant is present. Va. Code § 22.1-274.2 lets school boards stock undesignated nasal or injectable glucagon. (law.lis.virginia.gov)

Can a student carry supplies and manage diabetes at school?

Yes

With parental consent and prescriber approval, a student may carry and use supplies, an insulin pump and treatment for highs and lows, and self-check glucose on the bus, on school property and at school activities (Va. Code § 22.1-274.01:1). (law.lis.virginia.gov)

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

Yes

The Virginia Department of Education publishes Diabetes Management in Schools: Manual for Unlicensed Personnel, which covers the Diabetes Medical Management Plan. Va. Code § 22.1-274.01:2 requires each school board to have a divisionwide diabetes care plan. (townhall.virginia.gov; law.lis.virginia.gov)

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

Yes

With parental consent and prescriber approval, a student with diabetes may carry and use a cell phone or smart device for diabetes care, including to self-check glucose (Va. Code § 22.1-274.01:1). School cell phone policies must allow phone use from bell to bell under a diabetes medical management plan (Va. Code § 22.1-79.3:1). (law.lis.virginia.gov; townhall.virginia.gov)

Also in Virginia

Virginia requires at least two employees trained in insulin and glucagon in schools with 10 or more instructional and administrative staff (at least one in smaller schools) when a student with diabetes attends. School boards may stock undesignated glucagon. (law.lis.virginia.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

• law.lis.virginia.gov: “(ii) if one or more students diagnosed as having diabetes attend such school, at least two employees have been trained in the administration of insulin and glucagon.”
• law.lis.virginia.gov: “When a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician, or physician assistant is present, no employee who is not a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician, or physician assistant shall assist with the administration of insulin or administer glucagon.”
• law.lis.virginia.gov: “Any local school board may adopt and implement policies for the possession and administration of undesignated nasal or injectable glucagon in each public elementary or secondary school in the local school division”
• law.lis.virginia.gov: “(i) carry with him and use supplies, including a reasonable and appropriate short-term supply of carbohydrates, an insulin pump, and equipment for immediate treatment of high and low glucose levels; (ii) self-check his own glucose levels on a school bus, on school property, and at a school-sponsored activity;”
• townhall.virginia.gov: “The purpose of this manual is to provide the registered nurse or licensed physician with the tools to equip school personnel to confidently and safely provide care to the student with diabetes, in the absence of professional health care providers in the school.”
• townhall.virginia.gov: “It is important for each student with diabetes to have a Diabetes Medical Management Plan authorized by the healthcare provider and parent/guardian in order to provide safe and appropriate care.”
• law.lis.virginia.gov: “B. Each school board shall develop, amend as necessary, and implement a divisionwide plan for the care of each public elementary or secondary school student who is diagnosed with diabetes in the school division”
• law.lis.virginia.gov: “(iii) carry with him and use a cell phone or smart device, pursuant to subdivision B 4 of § 22.1-79.3:1 , to monitor, address, or contact his parent, the school, or his health care provider to communicate about any matter relating to diabetes care and management needs or decisions, including to self-check his own glucose levels in accordance with clause (ii).”
• law.lis.virginia.gov: “Permit any student, pursuant to an Individualized Education Plan, § 504 Plan, individualized health care plan, diabetes medical management plan, or Limited English Proficiency plan, to possess and use a cell phone or smart device on school property, including in the classroom, from bell to bell to monitor or address a health concern or as an accommodation or assistive technology support;”
• townhall.virginia.gov: “Most CGM's can transmit data remotely to multiple devices at the same time via smartphone technology.”
• law.lis.virginia.gov: “(b) if one or more students diagnosed as having diabetes attend such school, at least one employee has been trained in the administration of insulin and glucagon.”

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).