About this information:
This information was prepared by the American Diabetes Association, a national leader in diabetes information and advocacy. It covers state rules on diabetes care in Colorado schools, and may not include all the important details. We strive to be constantly up to date, but laws can change. It is not a substitute for professional legal advice.
1. Does Puerto Rico allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?
Yes. All schools in Puerto Rico, public and private, are required to have at least two staff members trained in insulin administration once the school is notified that a student has diabetes:
The volunteers chosen to assist and manage a student's diabetes, who are not heath care professionals, will receive training with respect to diabetes management, which will include blood glucose monitoring, insulin and glucagon administration, recognizing and treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, testing for ketones, becoming familiar with the equipment used to monitor diabetes, recognizing possible adverse effects of high or low blood glucose and will provide the necessary management of the student's diabetes at school, when the student is not able to do so or not authorized for such by his or her health care provider. (2015LPR199)
If the school cannot find school staff volunteers, the law requires that the school hire the necessary personnel at no cost to the student's parents or guardians.
2. Does Puerto Rico allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon?
Yes. As stated above, Puerto Rico requires schools to have at least two staff members trained in glucagon administration once the school is notified that a student has diabetes. (2015LPR199)
3. Does Puerto Rico allow students to self-manage diabetes care at school?
Yes, for blood glucose testing and insulin administration anytime, anywhere as long as it is part of the student's Diabetes Management School Plan.
In accordance with what is established in the Diabetes Management School Plan, the student will be permitted to self-monitor blood glucose or have someone else do so, and administer insulin, at his or her preferred location within the school institution, and no specific place will be imposed for such. (2015LPR199)
The law also provides that the student's Diabetes Management School Plan will establish the student will be permitted to eat snacks or other glucose sources whenever necessary and will have access to water at all times.
4. Does Puerto Rico allow students to carry diabetes supplies like needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?
Puerto Rican law is silent. As mentioned above, students may self-manage diabetes anytime, anywhere, but the law does not say where they may carry diabetes supplies. The law requires schools to:
[…] provide the student with an adequate and secure location to store supplies and medical equipment of the student, including without limitation, insulin, glucometers, glucagon, syringes, and others. (2015LPR199)
The law specifically says that students have the right to eat snacks or other glucose sources whenever necessary which may require that they be allowed to carry such supplies and food on their person. Regardless, federal laws may allow capable students to carry diabetes supplies, anytime and anywhere. This may be necessary so that children with diabetes can access education just like any other child.
Resources:
For more information, see the following helpful resources: