Bill
S 342
Allows trained, licensed school nurses to delegate non-parenteral diabetes care tasks to health aides in classrooms, enabling on-site monitoring and treatment for type 1 students w
Status: Reported and committed to Codes (introduced Jan 30, 2025)
Primary sponsor: Sen. Sal N. DiDomenico
Purpose
- Authorize limited delegation of certain diabetes-care tasks in public schools so students with type 1 diabetes can be monitored and treated for low blood sugar while expanding who may perform those tasks under nurse supervision.
What the bill would do (key provisions)
- Amends the last paragraph of Section 54B of chapter 71 of the General Laws to permit, with proper and ongoing training and under the direct supervision of a licensed school nurse, delegation of authority to:
- A “health aide” (as defined in 105 CMR 210.004) to administer treatment for low blood sugar and to monitor symptoms in students with type 1 diabetes.
- Explicitly prohibits delegation of parenteral medication delivery (for example, insulin delivered by pump or syringe) to health aides: parenteral medications must be administered by a licensed school nurse in accordance with 105 CMR 210.00 (the State regulation governing administration of prescription medication in public schools).
- Allows a trained and licensed school nurse to perform glucose monitoring via finger stick and deliver insulin in a classroom setting if the student’s family and physician determine that is appropriate.
- Requires that each student with diabetes be placed in a classroom that already has a health or instructional assistant supporting other students.
Who would be affected
- Students with type 1 diabetes enrolled in Massachusetts public schools (expanded ability to receive on-site monitoring/treatment).
- School nurses and school physicians (new delegation authority and supervision responsibilities).
- Health aides and instructional assistants (new permissible duties subject to training and supervision).
- School districts and districts’ health services (training, staffing, and supervision obligations).
Operational, legal, and fiscal implications
- Implements delegation under specified training and direct supervision standards (ties to 105 CMR 210.00/210.004).
- Does not appropriate funding; districts may incur costs for training, supervision time, potential staffing adjustments, and liability/insurance considerations.
- Aims to increase in-class care access while reserving invasive/parenteral administration to licensed nurses.
Legislative actions & timeline highlights
- Filed: Jan 16, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 1792); introduced Jan 30, 2025.
- Referred to Education (and other committees per chamber record); hearing scheduled July 21, 2025.
- Reported and committed to Codes: Apr 8, 2025.
- Reported favorably by committee and referred to Senate Ways & Means (Sept 22, 2025).
Related bills
- Companion/related entries listed (e.g., HR 790, A 1085, prior-session bills S 774 and S 7873).
Notes/considerations
- The bill balances increased in-school access to diabetes care with limits on delegation for parenteral medications; success depends on clear training standards, supervisory capacity, and any appropriations for implementation.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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