Ohio House Passes Bill on the Care of Diabetic School Students

The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 264 today to allow school staff members to voluntarily be trained to assist with diabetes care when a school nurse is not available. Following the passage of the legislation, also referred to as the “Safe at School Act,” Health and Aging Committee Chairman Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon) released the following statement:

“I sponsored this legislation because there is a need in our state to ensure the safety of children with diabetes when they are at school or participating in school-sponsored activities. Because diabetes must be managed at all time, this bill not only allows school staff to be trained for the care, but also specifies that capable students can self-administer their diabetes medications.

“Good management of this disease can prevent devastating, long-term complications and provide students with more opportunity for academic success because they perform better when their blood glucose levels are within their target range. That’s why House Bill 264 has received broad support from a variety of organizations, in addition to support by the members of the House. Its passage proves our commitment to ensuring that all children with diabetes are medically safe while at school and that they will have the same educational opportunities as their classmates.”