About this information:
This information was prepared by the Legal Advocacy division of the American Diabetes Association® (ADA), a national leader in diabetes information and advocacy. This information covers state rules on diabetes care in Georgia schools, and may not include all the relevant rules and important details. While ADA strives to provide current information, laws and resources can frequently change. This information is not legal advice and professional legal advice should be sought as needed.
1. Does Georgia allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?
Yes. With written permission from parents and a physician, trained unlicensed school staff can administer insulin:
“[…] the school nurse or, in the absence of the school nurse, trained diabetes personnel shall perform functions including, but not limited to, responding to blood glucose levels that are outside of the student's target range; administering glucagon; administering insulin, or assisting a student in administering insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses; providing oral diabetes medications; checking and recording blood glucose levels and ketone levels, or assisting a student with such checking and recording; and following instructions regarding meals, snacks, and physical activity.” O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779(d).
Private schools are also immune from liability if they allow staff to provide diabetes care. O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779(g).
2. Does Georgia allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon?
Yes. As stated above, trained unlicensed school staff can provide all aspects of diabetes care, including "administering glucagon." O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779(d).
Georgia also allows schools to keep a stock of glucagon for emergencies.
“A public or private school in this state may acquire and stock a supply of undesignated ready-to-use glucagon pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with Code Section 26-4-116.4. Such public or private school shall designate an employee or agent trained in the possession and administration of glucagon who shall be responsible for the storage, maintenance, and distribution of the undesignated ready-to-use glucagon stocked by the school.” O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779(d.1).
3. Does Georgia allow students to self-manage diabetes care at school, anytime and anywhere?
Yes. A student with a written note from a parent, and with a current diabetes medical management plan, may manage diabetes care at any place, including in school classrooms:
“Upon written request of a student's parent or guardian and if authorized by the student's diabetes medical management plan, a student with diabetes shall be permitted to perform blood glucose checks, administer insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses, treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and otherwise attend to the monitoring and treatment of his or her diabetes in the classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds, and at any school related activity.” O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779(e).
4. Does Georgia allow students to carry diabetes supplies like needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?
Yes. Students with a written note from a parent, and with a current diabetes medical management plan, may carry diabetes supplies with them at all times:
“Upon written request of a student's parent or guardian and if authorized by the student's diabetes medical management plan, a student with diabetes […] shall be permitted to possess on his or her person at all times all necessary supplies and equipment to perform such monitoring and treatment functions.” O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779(e).
5. Does Georgia allow students with diabetes to carry cellphones or smart devices for medical purposes?
Georgia currently does not have any statewide cellphone restrictions or bans for schools. However, individual schools or districts may create their own policies. If your child is having challenges with cell phone access at school, please contact us at 1-800-DIABETES or email AskADA@diabetes.org. Additional resources can be found on our Safe at School homepage.
6. Other State Issue(s)
- Does Georgia allow a school to transfer out a student with diabetes because no one is available to provide diabetes care?
No. The school must provide a nurse or unlicensed school staff to provide diabetes care. At least two school staff must receive training. Someone must be available on site at all times to provide diabetes care:
“Each local board of education and state chartered special school shall ensure that training [for diabetes care] is provided to a minimum of two school employees at each school attended by a student with diabetes. […] The school nurse or at least one trained diabetes personnel shall be on site at each school and available during regular school hours to provide care to each student with diabetes […]” O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779(b) – (d).
"[A] student's school choice shall in no way be restricted because the student has diabetes." O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779(d)(3).
Resources:
For more information, see the following helpful resources:
- Undesignated glucagon for schools final bill passed in 2023.
- Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Chapter 20, Section 20-2-779.
- Georgia Department of Education, Guidelines for the Care Needed for Students with Diabetes, July, 2017.
Additional Safe at School resources are available at diabetes.org/safeatschool. To receive information and guidance about a school diabetes care issue, contact 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or AskADA@diabetes.org.
