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 Indiana 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 Indiana allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?
Yes. If a school has a child with diabetes, the principal must recruit volunteer unlicensed health aids. A qualified health professional must train these volunteers to administer insulin:
“… a diabetes training program for volunteer health aids […] must include the following: […] Performing tests to check glucose and ketone levels, and recording the results. […]Properly administering glucagon, insulin, or other emergency treatments as prescribed, and recording the results.” Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 20-34-5-15.
2. Does Indiana allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon?
Yes. As stated above, the principal must recruit volunteer unlicensed health aids who will be trained in "administering glucagon." Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 20-34-5-15.
3. Does Indiana allow students to self-manage diabetes care at school anytime and anywhere?
Yes. Indiana clearly allows glucose testing, insulin administration, and any other type of diabetes care anytime, anywhere:
“… a school shall, except in an emergency, allow the student to attend to the management and care of the student's diabetes if the student has been evaluated and determined to be capable of doing so as reflected in the student's individual health plan […]including […] in the classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds, or at any school related activity.” Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 20-34-5-17
4. Does Indiana allow students to carry diabetes supplies such as needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?
Yes. As stated above, students may self-manage diabetes care, including "[p]ossessing on the student's person at any time the supplies or equipment necessary to monitor and care for the student's diabetes." Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 20-34-5-17.
5. Can students use cellular devices for diabetes management purposes?
Yes. Indiana schools prohibit the use of cellphone devices during instructional time. However, there is an express exemption for emergencies and medical management, which includes diabetes management.
“Each school corporation and charter school shall adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that: (1) except as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) and subsection (d), prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time; […] and permits a student to use a wireless communication device in the event of an emergency or to manage the student’s health care.” IC -20-26-5-40.7
Resources:
For more information, see the following helpful resources:
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.
