TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION ON TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES WHEN OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION IS PROVIDED.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Zack Gramlich and 1 co-sponsor

Act 801 requires Arkansas schools to provide parents with vital information on Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, enhancing awareness and early detection for K-12 students.

Notification that HB1580 is now Act 801

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1580, now known as Act 801, aims to enhance the health education provided to parents and guardians of students in Arkansas schools. Specifically, it mandates that schools include information about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes when disseminating other health-related information. The intent is to raise awareness about diabetes, its risk factors, and the importance of early detection and management.

Key Provisions

The bill amends Arkansas Code § 6-18-711, which pertains to the administration of medication for diabetes in schools. The key provisions include:

Mandatory Information: Schools must provide the following educational information about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes when they share other health information:

Descriptions of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Information on risk factors and warning signs associated with both types of diabetes.
Recommendations for parents or guardians to consult with a primary care provider if their child displays warning signs.
An overview of the screening processes for both types of diabetes and the significance of the stages of Type 1 diabetes.
Guidance for developing a treatment plan post-diagnosis.

Collaboration with Health Departments: The Arkansas Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Health, is responsible for developing and distributing the educational materials to school districts and making them available on their websites.

Clarification of Purpose: The bill clarifies that the diabetes-related educational information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as a medical diagnosis.

Affected Parties

Students: The bill directly impacts students in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) by ensuring that their parents or guardians receive critical health information regarding diabetes.

Parents and Guardians: They will receive essential information that can help them recognize potential diabetes symptoms and seek timely medical advice.

Schools: Educational institutions will be required to incorporate this information into their health communications, which may involve additional training or resources.

Procedural Timeline

Introduced: February 25, 2025

Amendments: The bill underwent amendments on March 19, 2025, to clarify the language regarding the educational nature of the information provided.

Passed: The bill was passed by both the House and Senate on April 14, 2025.

Enrolled: The bill was correctly enrolled and transmitted to the Governor's Office on April 15, 2025.

Notification of Act: Official notification that HB 1580 is now Act 801 was made on April 17, 2025.

Fiscal Impact

According to the Fiscal Impact Statement prepared by the Arkansas Department of Education, there is no expected fiscal impact associated with the implementation of this bill.

This summary provides a clear overview of House Bill 1580 (Act 801), detailing its purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and procedural timeline, making it accessible for both experts and general readers.

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