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H 652

An Act providing for diabetes management in schools

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sal DiDomenico and 4 co-sponsors

Allows trained health aides under nurse supervision to administer low-blood-sugar treatment and monitor Type 1 diabetes in class, with nurse-led insulin oversight.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 652

Summary of H.652: An Act Providing for Diabetes Management in Schools

Overview

H.652 proposes targeted updates to how diabetes management is conducted in Massachusetts public schools. The bill would amend the last paragraph of Section 54B of Chapter 71 to clarify who may administer certain diabetes-related treatments in the school setting, under specific training and supervision, and to ensure students with diabetes are accompanied in classrooms by appropriate supportive staff.

Key Provisions

  • Delegation to health aides with supervision. With proper and ongoing training, and under the direct supervision of a licensed school nurse (or school physician), the school nurse or school physician may delegate the authority to administer treatment for low blood sugar and to monitor symptoms of students with type 1 diabetes to a health aide as defined in 105 CMR 210.004.

  • Parenteral medication administration. The delivery of parenteral medications (e.g., insulin via pump or syringe) must be administered by a licensed school nurse in accordance with 105 CMR 210.00: The administration of prescription medication in public schools.

  • In-classroom glucose monitoring and insulin delivery. Glucose monitoring via finger stick and insulin delivery may be administered in a classroom by a trained and licensed school nurse if the student’s family and physician deem it appropriate.

  • Classroom placement for students with diabetes. Each student with diabetes would be placed in a classroom with a health or instructional assistant who is already supporting other students in that classroom.

Who Is Affected

  • Students with type 1 diabetes and their families, who would benefit from enhanced in-school management options and dedicated classroom support.
  • School personnel including licensed school nurses, school physicians, health aides (as defined in 105 CMR 210.004), and instructional staff who would participate in training and supervision.
  • School districts and administrators, which would implement the training, supervision, and classroom placement requirements.

Implementation and Oversight

  • The provisions rely on existing standards in 105 CMR 210 (prescribing and administering medications in public schools) for the administration of medication.
  • Training requirements must be ongoing and provided to authorize delegation to health aides.
  • Administration of insulin via pumps or syringes would remain under the supervision of a licensed nurse, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Family and physician input remains a factor for in-classroom insulin delivery and monitoring decisions.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Initial referral: Education Committee (House).
  • Legislative actions:
    • Hearing scheduled (as of the bill’s timeline) for July 21, 2025.
    • Reported favorably by committee and referred to the Committee on House Ways and Means (October 2, 2025).
    • Senate concurrence noted in the bill history.
  • Related bills: HD 1308 is identified as related/replacing the current docket.

Practical Impact

  • Aims to enhance safety and inclusivity for students with diabetes by formalizing supervision standards, expanding the role of trained health aides under nurse oversight, and enabling in-classroom management where appropriate.
  • Could require districts to provide targeted training for staff and coordinate with families and healthcare providers.
  • Maintains nurse-led administration for high-risk or complex interventions (parenteral insulin delivery) to align with regulatory requirements.

This summary reflects the bill’s text and stated legislative actions as of the current docket.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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