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A new law designed to help diabetic students will take effect Feb. 1.
The law creates individualized health care plans for students with diabetes and training in diabetes care for school employees.
Under the new law, students capable of self-managing their diabetes will now be permitted to do so, provided a parent or guardian gives the school permission.
Parents wishing to allow their children to self-regulate their diabetes must notify the school nurse of their child's condition and intent and provide written proof from the child's physician that he or she is capable of caring for his or her diabetes.
Following the notification, the nurse will develop an individualized health care plan and an individualized emergency health care plan for each student, which would be authorized by the student's parents. These plans will be updated at the start of each school year and whenever a student's medical condition dictates. The child's physician, the school nurse, school employees and school district won't be held liable for civil damages resulting from the actions authorized by the plans.Students on an individualized health care plan will be able to self-manage their diabetes at any time and anywhere on school grounds, so long as it is provided for in their plan.
The law also provides for a uniform set of guidelines for the training of public, charter and nonpublic school employees in the care needed for students with diabetes, to be developed by the state Department of Health and Senior Services. Each school must provide the training to at least three school employees at each school attended by a student with diabetes.
Additionally, school nurses will be responsible for the emergency administration of glucagon - an amino-acid peptide hormone necessary for maintaining proper glucose levels in the body -and may designate additional employees who may administer the hormone when the school nurse is not available.
"Diabetes is a disease that requires constant personal management," said Assemblyman Jack Conners (D-Burlington), a co-sponsor of the law. "But state law had required students with diabetes to visit the school nurse for any and all medication. That was at best unfair to their education and at worst dangerous to their health."
"Many diabetics have special dietary needs that include things normally frowned upon in the classroom, like snacking," said Assemblywoman Joan M. Voss (D-Bergen), a co-sponsor and a retired teacher. "Allowing students to manage themselves will help ensure their special medical needs are met with a minimum of interference."
"Requiring uniform training guidelines for teachers and administrators helps ensure that students with diabetes have access to proper emergency care should, God forbid, they need it," said Assemblywoman Cleopatra G. Tucker (D-Essex), a co-sponsor.
"Together with the self-regulation option, this new law will help students with diabetes continue to live healthy, active lives."
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
