Virginia SB 122: School boards; student diabetes care & management in schools, division wide plan required.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26103391D

SENATE BILL NO. 122

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 5, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-274.01:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public elementary and secondary schools; student diabetes medical care and management.

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Patrons—McPike and Craig

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Referred to Committee on Education and Health

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 22.1-274.01:1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 22.1-274.01:1. Students who are diagnosed with diabetes; administration of insulin; diabetes care and management services; wearable diabetes devices; liability protections; self-care.

A. Each local 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 blood glucose levels, and (ii) self-check his own blood glucose levels on a school bus, on school property, and at a school-sponsored activity.

B. A local school board employee who is a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nurse aide and who has been trained in the administration of insulin, including the use and insertion of insulin pumps, and the administration of glucagon may assist a student who is diagnosed with diabetes and who carries an insulin pump with the insertion or reinsertion of the pump or any of its parts. 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.

1. As used in this section and §§ 8.01-225, 22.1-274, 54.1-3001, 54.1-3005, and 54.1-3408, "administration of insulin" or "insulin injections" means the delivery of insulin by inhalation, subcutaneous injection, syringe, smart pen or other insulin pen, i-Port, insulin pump and related technology, or another method authorized by a prescriber. "Administration of insulin" or "insulin injections" includes delivery through a student's routine insulin delivery method, restoration of the continuation of such routine method when insulin delivery is disrupted, including insertion or reinsertion of a wearable diabetes device when feasible, and delivery by a backup method when such routine method cannot be used or continued.

2. As used in this section:

"Connected diabetes technology" means any digital or electronic tool used with a diabetes device that regulates insulin delivery or can collect or transmit blood glucose data or assist in diabetes related decision making, including but not limited to mobile applications, cell phones, smartwatches, diabetes device receivers, or cloud-connected systems. 

"Diabetes care and management services" means the care and services to be provided in the school setting to a student diagnosed with diabetes, including those written in the prescriber authorization or in the student's § 504 Plan, Individualized Education Program, or individualized school-based health plan, and any care or services identified in a school-based health plan individualized for such student. "Diabetes care and management services" shall not be considered "health-related services" as defined in § 22.1-274.

"Diabetes device" means any medically necessary device used in the treatment or monitoring of diabetes, including glucose monitors and meters, wearable diabetes devices and any part or component thereof, and connected diabetes technology.

"Employee" means any employee of a school board and includes any registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, physician, or physician assistant employed or contracted by a local health department who is assigned to the public school pursuant to an agreement between the local health department and the school board in accordance with subsection E of § 22.1-274. 

"Interim strategies" means temporary strategies, developed with the student's parent, to be used in the school setting during the 30-day period described in subsection B to maintain continuity of care while necessary clarifications or provisions to implement portions of a prescriber authorization are obtained.

"Prescriber" means the physician or other practitioner authorized under §§ 54.1-3303 and 54.1-3408 to issue a prescriber authorization and as defined in § 54.1-3401.

"Prescriber authorization" means any written orders developed and signed by a physician or other practitioner authorizing the provision of necessary diabetes care and management services to a student in the school setti