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 Iowa 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 Iowa allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?
Yes. School nurses may delegate insulin administration to trained school personnel. The school personnel must complete the required training and additional special medication skills modules.
“School nurses use their professional licensed practice in the delegation of medication administration in the school setting to address the needs of students in administering health services for episodic illness and chronic disease management (Iowa Administrative Code 281.14.2; IAC 655.6). […] The additional modules for special medication administration skills related to health services and nursing tasks include: […] glucagon, insulin injection, insulin pump.” State of Iowa, Medication Administration Toolkit (2023).
2. Does Iowa allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon?
Yes. As stated above, school nurses may delegate glucagon administration to trained school personnel. State of Iowa, Medication Administration Toolkit (2023).
3. Does Iowa allow students to self-manage diabetes at school?
The law is unclear. Iowa law does not make it clear whether general education students may test blood glucose, or perform other diabetes care, anytime, anywhere while at school. However, competent students may self-administer and carry medication:
“Each agency shall establish medication administration policy and procedures, which include the following: […] Individuals who have demonstrated competency in administering their own medications may self-administer their medication.” 281 IAC 14.2(256) and 281 IAC 14.1(256).
However, even if state law is not clear, federal laws may allow self-management. This may be necessary so that children with diabetes can access education just like any other child.
4. Does Iowa allow students to carry diabetes supplies such as needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?
The law is unclear. Iowa does not make clear whether general education students may test blood glucose, or perform other diabetes care, anytime, anywhere while at school. However, even if state law is not clear, federal laws may allow students to self-carry diabetes supplies so they can have equal access to education.
5. Does Iowa allow students with diabetes to carry cellphones or smart devices for medical purposes?
Iowa 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.
Resources:
For more information, see the following helpful resources:
- 281 Iowa Administrative Code, Title VII, Chapter 41, Section 41.404; Special Education, Policies and procedures required of all public agencies
- 655 Iowa Administrative Code Section 6.1: Nursing Practice for Registered Nurses/Licensed Practical Nurses
- Board of Nursing Letter Regarding Delegation of Administration of Insulin and Glucagon for Students with Diabetes (11/3/2013).
- State of Iowa, Medication Administration Toolkit (2023)
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.
