2023 -- H 5501

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LC001354

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Representatives Stewart, Potter, Voas, Alzate, Kazarian, Boylan,
Sanchez, Morales, Casimiro, and Spears

     Date Introduced: February 10, 2023

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-21-42. Students with diabetes.

     (a) Any school that has an enrolled student with diabetes shall provide training to all school

employees in the basics of diabetes care, how to identify when a student with diabetes needs

immediate or emergency medical attention, and whom to contact in the case of an emergency.

     (b) Delegated care aides shall be trained to perform the tasks necessary to assist a student

with diabetes in accordance with the student’s diabetes care plan, including training to do the

following:

     (1) Check blood glucose and records results;

     (2) Recognize and respond to the symptoms of hypoglycemia according to the diabetes

care plan;

     (3) Recognize and respond to the symptoms of hyperglycemia according to the diabetes

care plan;

     (4) Estimate the number of carbohydrates in a snack or lunch;

     (5) Administer insulin according to the student’s diabetes care plan and keep a record of

the amount administered; and

     (6) Respond in an emergency, including administering glucagon and calling 911.

     (c) Initial training of a delegated care aide shall be provided by a licensed healthcare

provider with expertise in diabetes or a certified diabetic educator and individualized by a student’s

parent or legal guardian. Training must be consistent with the guidelines provided by the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services in the guide for school personnel entitled “Helping the

Student with Diabetes Succeed”. Training shall be updated at least annually and at any time the

student’s diabetes care plan is amended.

     (d) School nurses, where available, or health care providers may provide technical

assistance or consultation or both to delegated care aides.

     (e) An information sheet shall be provided to any school employee or designee that

transports a student for school-sponsored activities. It shall identity the student with diabetes,

identify potential emergencies that may occur as a result of the student’s diabetes and the

appropriate responses to such emergencies, and provide emergency contact information.

     (f) A school may maintain a supply of glucagon, prescribed in the name of the school, in

any secure location that is immediately accessible to a school nurse or a delegated care aide. Any

supply of undesignated glucagon must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s

instructions. A school nurse or delegated care aide may administer the undesignated glucagon if

that individual is authorized to administer the undesignated glucagon through a student’s diabetes

care plan and if the student’s prescribed glucagon is not available on-site or has expired.

Immediately after the administration of the undesignated glucagon, the school shall notify the

school nurse, unless the school nurse was the one administering the undesignated glucagon, and

the student’s parents or legal guardian and emergency contact, if known, and health care provider

of its use.

     (g) For purposes of this section, “delegated care aide” means a school employee who has

agreed to receive training in diabetes care and to assist students in implementing a diabetes care

plan and has entered into an agreement with a parent or legal guardian and the school.

     (h) For purposes of this section, “diabetes care plan” means a document that specifies the

diabetes-related services needed by a student at school and at school-sponsored activities or events,

and identifies the appropriate staff to provide and supervise these services.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

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     This act would allow schools to maintain on-site an undesignated supply of glucagon for

emergency purposes. This act would further provide for training of all school employees in the

basics of diabetes care of any school which has a student with diabetes and allow for further training

of delegated care aides for students with diabetes.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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