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 Kansas 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 Kansas allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?
Yes. Nurses can delegate health care procedures to unlicensed school staff. Kansas rules specifically allow measuring a prescribed amount of liquid medication, or counting carbohydrates to determine insulin dosage:
“Any registered professional nurse may delegate the procedure of medication administration in a school setting to unlicensed persons if […] [t]he administration of the medication does not require dosage calculation. Measuring a prescribed amount of liquid medication, breaking a scored tablet for administration, or counting carbohydrates for the purpose of determining dosage for insulin administration shall not be considered calculation of the medication dosage.” K.A.R. § 60-15-104.
Nurses can also delegate to unlicensed staff "blood glucose monitoring," which includes "taking glucometer readings." K.A.R. § 60-15-101.
2. Does Kansas allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon?
Yes. As stated above, nurses can delegate the administration of a prescribed amount of liquid medication to unlicensed staff. In addition, unlicensed people can provide "nursing assistance in the case of an emergency." K.S.A. § 65-1124. Since glucagon is almost always administered in an emergency, it should be allowed under Kansas rules.
3. Does Kansas allow students to self-manage diabetes care at school?
Yes. The student must have a written plan and authorization from a doctor, and parents must renew the authorization every year:
“Each school district shall adopt a policy authorizing the self-administration of medication by students enrolled in kindergarten or any of the grades 1 through 12. A student shall meet all requirements of a [school medication] policy […] A school district shall require annual renewal of parental authorization for the self-administration of medication.” K.S.A. § 72-6282.
Some local schools may have additional requirements for students with diabetes to self-administer medicine. K.S.A. § 72-6282(i).
4. Does Kansas allow students to carry diabetes supplies like needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?
Yes. A student may possess and use diabetes medication anywhere at school, and at school supervised events:
“An authorization […] shall allow a student to possess and use such student's medication at any place where a student is subject to the jurisdiction or supervision of the school district or its officers, employees or agents.” K.S.A. § 72-8252(h).
Some local schools may have additional requirements for students with diabetes to self-administer medicine. K.S.A. § 72-6282(h).
5. Does Kansas allow students with diabetes to carry cellphones or smart devices for medical purposes?
Kansas 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:
- Kansas Statute, Chapter 65, Article 65, Section § 65-1124; Regulation of Nursing; Acts which are not prohibited.
- Kansas Statute, Chapter 72, Article 62, Section 72-6282.
- Kansas Administrative Regulations, Supplement, Agency 60, Kansas State Board of Nursing, Section 60-15-104; Medication administration in a school setting.
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Guidelines for Medication Administration in Kansas Schools (Revised August 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.
