Students who are diagnosed with diabetes; self-care; insertion and reinsertion of insulin pump
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-274.01:1
in effectA. Each school board shall permit each enrolled student who is diagnosed with diabetes, with parental consent and written approval from the prescriber, as that term is defined in § 54.1-3401 , to (i) carry with him and use supplies, including a reasonable and appropriate short-term supply of carbohydrates, an insulin pump, and equipment for immediate treatment of high and low glucose levels; (ii) self-check his own glucose levels on a school bus, on school property, and at a school-sponsored activity; and (iii) carry with him and use a cell phone or smart device, pursuant to subdivision B 4 of § 22.1-79.3:1 , to monitor, address, or contact his parent, the school, or his health care provider to communicate about any matter relating to diabetes care and management needs or decisions, including to self-check his own glucose levels in accordance with clause (ii).
B. A school board employee who is a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, or, when applicable, authorized pursuant to subsection H of § 54.1-3408 and who has been trained in the administration of insulin and glucagon may assist a student who is diagnosed with diabetes with the insertion or reinsertion of the student's prescribed insulin pump or any of its parts in accordance with the methods of administration recognized in the most recent edition of American Diabetes Association Standards of Care in Diabetes. For the purposes of this subsection, "employee" has the same meaning as in subsection E of § 22.1-274 . Prescriber authorization and parental consent shall be obtained for any such employee to assist with the insertion or reinsertion of the pump or any of its parts. Nothing in this section shall require any employee to assist with the insertion or reinsertion of the pump or any of its parts. Any school board employee that is authorized pursuant to subsection H of § 54.1-3408 and meets the requirements set forth in applicable law to provide certain diabetes-related care shall (i) be exempt from nursing practice requirements pursuant to subdivision A 9 of § 54.1-3001 ; (ii) not be considered to be engaging in the practice of medicine pursuant to subdivision A 26 of § 54.1-2901 ; and (iii) be immune from civil liability for ordinary negligence in acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of certain diabetes-related care pursuant to subdivision A 11 of § 8.01-225 . Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter or limit the protections provided to school board employees under subsection D of § 22.1-274 .
C. No school board shall prohibit any school board employee from providing any diabetes-related care that such school board employee is authorized and meets the requirements set forth in applicable law to provide, including assisting a student with the insertion or reinsertion of an insulin pump or any of its parts pursuant to subsection B. However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a school board from placing reasonable restrictions or parameters on the implementation of diabetes-related care by school board employees, in conjunction with a student's provider, for the purpose of ensuring the effective, efficient, and safe administration and operation of schools and school personnel, which may be included in the school board's divisionwide plan for the care of students who are diagnosed with diabetes developed and implemented pursuant to § 22.1-274.01:2.
2014, cc. 488 , 554 ; 2017, c. 811 ; 2026, cc. 287 , 288 .
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/22.1-274.01:1/Fetched: 10/16/2026