Bill
HB 1143
Allows students with diabetes to possess and self-administer nasal glucagon at school with provider and parent authorization, and school records on file.
HB 1143 (2026) – South Dakota
Summary prepared for readers seeking a clear, nonpartisan overview of the bill’s purpose, provisions, and impact.
1) Purpose and intent
- The bill authorizes the possession and self-administration of nasal glucagon diabetes medications by a student on school property and at school-related events and activities.
- It expands the current framework (which already covers asthma and anaphylaxis) to explicitly include diabetes management, focusing on nasal glucagon as a self-administered option under specified conditions.
2) Key provisions and changes
- Definitions (Section 1):
- “Medication” includes inhaled bronchodilators, auto-injectable epinephrine, nasal glucagon, insulin, or other diabetes medications; “related equipment and supplies” cover items needed for diabetes management; “school” covers public or nonpublic schools; “self-administration of prescription medication” refers to a student’s discretionary use of prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medication, or both (the amendment language indicates nasal glucagon/diabetes medications are applicable in the diabetes context as part of the broader framework).
- Requirements for self-administration and possession (Section 2):
- A student must have a diagnosis of asthma, anaphylaxis, or diabetes by a licensed health care provider to possess and self-administer prescription medication and to possess and use related equipment and supplies on school property or at school events.
- The medication must be prescribed for the student and labeled accordingly, or ordered by a prescriber for school use.
- Self-administration must comply with the prescription or written instructions from the student’s physician or other licensed health care provider.
- Parent requirements:
- Written authorization for self-administration and possession of related supplies, signed by the parent.
- A written liability release signed by the parent releasing the school district and its employees from liability for injuries arising from self-administration/possession, except in cases of wanton or willful misconduct.
- Physician/provider statement:
- Must include diagnosis, name and purpose of the medication, prescribed dosage, times or circumstances for administration, duration of the prescription, and types of allowed related equipment and supplies.
- The physician’s statement must be kept on file at the school (in the school nurse’s office if there is a nurse, otherwise in the principal’s office) within the student’s educational records.
3) Who/what is affected
- Students diagnosed with asthma, anaphylaxis, or diabetes who rely on prescription medications for self-management.
- School districts and nonpublic schools, along with their employees and agents, who would implement and oversee the self-administration authorization, liability provisions, and documentation requirements.
- Parents or guardians, who must provide written authorization and liability releases and ensure physician documentation is on file.
4) Procedural and timeline aspects
- The amendment builds on existing statutory sections (13-32-10 to 13-32-13) governing self-administration of prescribed medications in schools.
- The process requires:
- Diagnosis by a licensed health care provider.
- Prescription and labeling aligned with school-use guidelines.
- Parental authorization and liability release.
- Provider’s written authorization detailing medication, dosage, administration times, duration, and allowed equipment.
- Filing and retention of the provider’s statement in the school’s records (nurse’s office or principal’s office, as applicable).
- The bill has progressed through standard legislative steps in 2026, with multiple committee approvals and final sign-off by the Governor (as reflected in the action history). This indicates a clear pathway to enactment, subject to final gubernatorial signature.
5) Practical implications
- Greater autonomy for students with diabetes to manage their condition during school hours and school-sponsored activities.
- Potential reduction in emergency incidents related to unmanaged diabetes symptoms, provided appropriate medical guidance and supervision are followed.
- Increased documentation and administrative requirements for schools to ensure compliance and liability protection.
Note: This summary reflects the introduced amendment (14-43A) and its current textual provisions as of introduction. For full effect, the bill’s final enacted language and any subsequent amendments should be consulted.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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