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 Missouri 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 Missouri allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?
Yes. A public school may adopt a policy allowing unlicensed staff to provide insulin administration:
“[…] In accordance with the request of the parent or guardian of a student with diabetes and the student's diabetes medical management plan, the school nurse or, in the absence of the school nurse, trained diabetes care personnel, may perform diabetes care functions including, but not limited to: (1) Checking and recording blood glucose levels and ketone levels or assisting a student with such checking and recording; […] (4) Administering insulin or assisting a student in administering insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses; […] (6) Following instructions regarding meals, snacks, and physical activity.” R.S. Mo. § 167.809.
If a school allows unlicensed staff to take care of diabetes, then it must train at least three school employees to provide that care. Unlicensed diabetes care staff must receive specific diabetes care training "provided by a school nurse or another health care professional with expertise in diabetes." R.S.Mo. § 167.803.
2. Does Missouri allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon?
Yes. As stated above, a public school district can choose to train unlicensed staff to provide diabetes care, including "[a]dministering glucagon and other emergency treatments as prescribed." R.S. Mo. § 167.809.
3. Does Missouri allow students to self-manage diabetes at school, anytime and anywhere?
Yes. Missouri specifically allows diabetes self-management in the classroom, on school grounds and at school activities.
“Upon written request of the parent or guardian and authorization 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 care and management of his or her diabetes in the classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds, and at any school-related activity […] If the parent or student so requests, the student shall have access to a private area for performing diabetes care tasks.” R.S. Mo.: § 167.818.
4. Does Missouri allow students to carry diabetes supplies such as needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?
Yes. Missouri specifically allows a student to "possess on his or her person at all times all necessary supplies and equipment to perform these monitoring and treatment functions." R.S. Mo.: § 167.818.
5. Does Missouri allow students with diabetes to carry cellphones or smart devices for medical purposes?
Missouri 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 resources:
- Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 167.803, Training of school employees, content, requirements
- Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 167.809, Diabetic care may be provided to students, when, trained personnel to be on site
- Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 167.818, Student may perform certain diabetic care for self, when
- Missouri Code of State Regulations, Chapter 5, Section 20-200.300, Training of School Employees in the Care Needed for Students with Diabetes (PDF)
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.
