2023 -- H 5546

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LC001765

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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 Diaz, Slater, Bennett, Craven, O'Brien, DeSimone,
McGaw, Batista, Voas, and Hull

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2023

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-21-42. Students with diabetes.

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

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

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

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

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

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following:

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     (1) Check blood glucose and records results;

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

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care plan;

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

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care plan;

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

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

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the amount administered; and

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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student’s diabetes care plan is amended.

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

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assistance or consultation or both to delegated care aides.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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that individual is authorized to administer the undesignated glucagon by the student's parent or

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legal guardian in accordance with a student’s diabetes care plan and if the student’s prescribed

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glucagon is not available on-site or has expired. Immediately after the administration of the

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undesignated glucagon, the school shall notify the school nurse, unless the school nurse was the

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one administering the undesignated glucagon, and the student’s parents or legal guardian and

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emergency contact as well as the student's health care provider of its use.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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     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

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

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

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of delegated care aides for students with diabetes.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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