FDACB- Health Requirements and Services: Student Treatment for Diabetes
Modified: 16 May 2025
FDACB- Health Requirements and Services:
Student Treatment for Diabetes
Definitions
- “Glucagon authorization” means a signed statement from a parent of a student with diabetes (a) certifying that glucagon has been prescribed for the student, (b) requesting that the school identify and train school personnel who volunteer to be trained in the administration of glucagon, and (c) authorizing the administration of glucagon in an emergency to the student.
- “Hypoglycemia” means a potentially life-threatening condition resulting from abnormally low blood glucose levels.
- “Qualified adult” means a person who is 18 years of age or older and who has successfully completed the Utah Department of Health and Human Services training program described in this policy.
- “Glucagon kit” means a medical device that contains a premeasured dose of glucagon for the emergency treatment of hypoglycemia.
Utah Code § 26B-4-401(10), (12), (17)(b)(ii) (2025)
Utah Code § 53G-9-504(1) (2025)
Administration of Glucagon for Hypoglycemic Emergency
This policy does not create a duty or standard of care for a person to be trained in the use and storage of glucagon kits, nor does it create a duty on the part of the District or a school to store glucagon kits at a school, nor does it relieve a student’s parent or guardian from providing a student’s medication, nor does it create an expectation that a school will have glucagon kits. A decision to complete the training program described below and to make glucagon kits available for hypoglycemia is voluntary. A school, school board, or school official may encourage a teacher or other school employee to volunteer for such training. A school, the school board, or a school official may not prohibit or dissuade a school employee from (a) being trained in use and storage of glucagon kits, (b) possessing or storing glucagon kits on school premises (if the employee is a qualified adult and the possession and storage is in accord with training), or (c) administering glucagon with a glucagon kit to a student with a glucagon authorization (if the employee is a qualified adult and the administration is in accord with training).
Each primary and secondary school shall make initial and annual refresher training regarding the storage and emergency use of a glucagon kit available to any interested teacher or other school employee, who is at least eighteen (18) years of age, and who volunteers for such training. The training will be provided by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
The training will include instruction on:
- techniques for recognizing symptoms of a hypoglycemic emergency;
- standards and procedures for the storage and emergency use of a glucagon kit;
- emergency follow-up procedures, and contacting, if possible, the student’s parent; and
- written materials covering the information provided during training.
The volunteers shall retain for reference the written materials covering the information provided during training.
Utah Code § 26B-4-412(1), (2), (3) (2025)
A “qualified adult” who is an employee of the district:
- May request from the medical director of the local health department, the local emergency medical services director, a physician, pharmacist, or any other person or entity authorized to prescribe or dispense prescribed medicines or drugs, a prescription for a glucagon kit;
- May, when a school nurse is not immediately available, immediately administer a glucagon kit to a student who (a) has a diagnosis of diabetes by a health care provider, (b) has a glucagon authorization on file with the school, and (c) is showing symptoms of hypoglycemia;
- Shall initiate appropriate medical follow-up in accordance with the training materials after administering a glucagon kit.
Each primary or secondary school may make a glucagon kit available to any teacher or other school employee who is employed at the school and has become a “qualified adult.”
Utah Code § 26B-4-406(6) (2025)
A school may obtain a prescription for a supply of glucagon kits for storage at the school and use by qualified adults if the school (a) designates an individual to complete an initial and annual refresher training program regarding the proper storage and emergency use of glucagon kits and (b) stores the glucagon kits according to Utah Department of Health and Human Services standards.
Utah Code § 26B-4-409(6) (2025)
The following, if acting in good faith, are not liable in any civil or criminal action for any act taken or not taken under the authority of Utah Code § 26B-4-401 et seq. with respect to a diabetic emergency: (a) a “qualified adult,” (b) a person who conducts training regarding the emergency use and storage of a glucagon kit, and (c) the District or its schools.
Student Self-Administration of Diabetes Medication
Under Policy FDAC, elementary and middle school students are prohibited from carrying or self-administering medication on school premises except in certain limited circumstances. However, elementary and middle school students may carry and self-administer prescription or non-prescription diabetes medications provided that the school has been provided a parent authorization statement and a health care provider statement as provided below.
The written parent statement must state that the parent authorizes the student to have and self-administer the diabetes medication and must acknowledge that the student is responsible for, and capable of, possessing and self-administering the diabetes medication.
The health care provider statement must specifically identify the prescription or nonprescription diabetes medication authorized for the student’s use and must state that it is medically appropriate for the student to possess or possess and self-administer the diabetes medication and that the student should be in possession of diabetes medication at all times.
If the medication is to be stored other than on the student’s person, the student or parent shall inform the school nurse or administration where the medication will be kept to enable access for emergency use.
The student shall only use prescription diabetes medication as directed by a health care provider’s written orders and shall use non-prescription diabetes medication in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Utah Code § 26B-4-412(4) (2025)
Medication Sharing Prohibited
No student is permitted to sell, share, or otherwise give to others any medication, prescription or non-prescription. Violations of this policy are subject to disciplinary action under the school's drug policies.