1. Does Montana allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?
Yes. Montana law does not prohibit delegation of insulin administration and insulin is not included in the list tasks that may not be delegated. Mont. Admin. R. 24.159.1625.
2. Does Montana allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon?
Yes. Montana law specifically allows parent-designated adults to administer glucagon. These school employees should also be trained in how to recognize hypoglycemia:
[A] A parent-designated adult may administer glucagon to a diabetic student in an emergency situation. […] A parent-designated adult must be trained in recognizing hypoglycemia and the proper method of administering glucagon. Training must be provided by a health care professional, […] or a recognized expert in diabetic care selected by the parent […] Written documentation of the training received by the parent-designated adult must be filed with the school district. Mont. Code Anno., § 20-5-412.
3. Does Montana allow students to self-manage diabetes at school?
The law is not clear, but we are working to make it clear. There is no specific Montana rule about blood glucose testing or diabetes self-management. The following language, in an old guidance document approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing applies to both blood glucose checks and insulin administration:
“[These tasks can occur at any preapproved location (e.g. classroom, health room) as long as plan in place for blood containment/clean up and sharps disposal. This must comply with infectious disease control plan. The procedure should not be disruptive of class routine or other children. Mont. Dep’t. of Health and Human Services, “A Resource Guide for Schools: Children with Diabetes” (2002).
Even if state law is not clear, federal laws may allow qualified students to self-manage diabetes care. This may be necessary so that children with diabetes can access education just like any other child.
4. Does Montana allow students to carry diabetes supplies such as needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?
The law is not clear, but we are working to make it clear. There is no specific Montana rule about diabetes supplies. The following language, in an old guidance document approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing, applies to diabetes care supplies:
Provision for easy access storage of [blood glucose monitoring] supplies must be made. […] Provision for storage of medication and supplies [for insulin injection] must be made. Mont. Dep’t. of Health and Human Services, “A Resource Guide for Schools: Children with Diabetes” (2002).
Resources:
For more information, see the following helpful resources:
