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The American Diabetes Association (Association) is pleased to announce the passage of Arizona House Bill 2042,  a key piece of legislation in the fight to keep children with diabetes medically safe at school. This bill, which was signed by Governor Janice Brewer on April 11, allows school staff to volunteer to be trained to assist children with diabetes with insulin administration and allows children, if they are capable to do so, to self-manage their diabetes while at school. 

The bill was sponsored by Arizona State Representative Heather Carter (R – District 7), who took office in 2011. Representative Carter is the Chair of the House Health Committee, and a member of the Education and Environment Committees. She focuses on legislative issues related to health care and education reform.

“The American Diabetes Association appreciates the support of House Bill 2042’s sponsor, Representative Heather Carter,” said Craig Morgan, Phoenix Advocacy Chair, American Diabetes Association. “Governor Jan Brewer, who signed the legislation, and all the legislators and organizations that supported the bill have helped to ensure students with diabetes across Arizona are safe and healthy, and have equal access to educational opportunities.”

An estimated 215,000 children are living with diabetes in the United States. These children have a disease that must be managed 24/7, including the many hours spent at school, on field trips and in extra-curricular activities. Every day, children with diabetes are put at serious risk if no one, including a school nurse, is present at school to help with daily and emergency diabetes care. House Bill 2042 will remove that risk by allowing volunteers to be trained in every school in Arizona to provide the diabetes care these children need, and deserve to learn and be healthy.

To address barriers to diabetes care at school, the Association created its Safe at School campaign. Through this campaign, the Association is dedicated to making sure that all children with diabetes are medically safe at school and have the same educational opportunity as their peers.