The Law

Section 1 of Connecticut Public Act No. 12-198 (a) states that “No local or regional board of education may prohibit blood glucose self-testing by children with diabetes who have a written order from a physician stating the need and the capability of such child to conduct self-testing. No local or regional board of education may restrict the time and location of blood glucose self-testing by a child with diabetes on school grounds who has written authorization from a parent or guardian and a written order from a physician stating that such child is capable of conducting self-testing on school grounds.”

Schools must be knowledgeable of all relevant state and federal laws and how these laws impact school district policies in this area. The most relevant federal laws include: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA), and The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Public schools in Connecticut are required to meet standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a regulatory agency within the U.S. Department of Labor 3. These standards include the need for procedures to address possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens 4.

Notes

3. OSHA regulates employer/employee conduct, and does not apply to students in schools.

4. Schools must adhere to Universal Precautions designed to reduce the risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens, which include the use of barriers such as surgical gloves and other protective measures when dealing with blood and other body fluids or tissues