SB57 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Paul Bussman

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Schools, diabetes, delegation of specific medical procedures and training of certain school personnel relating to insulin, limited liability of public schools and certain school personnel, Alabama Safe at Schools Act

Summary

SB57 creates the Alabama Safe at Schools Act to let trained school staff provide diabetes care at school under an Individual Health Plan, with training requirements and liability protections for schools and providers.

What This Bill Does

The act allows delegation of specific diabetes-related care to designated school personnel under an Individual Health Plan. It requires training guidelines for school staff, limits delegation to injectable diabetes medications, and ensures on-site care during school hours and activities. It also provides civil immunity for schools, school employees, and certain medical professionals acting under the act, and clarifies parental responsibilities and student attendance rights.

Who It Affects

• Students with diabetes: can receive diabetes care at school according to their Individual Health Plan and cannot be barred from attending or participating in activities because of diabetes, provided care is arranged; parents may be responsible for supplying medications and orders if not provided by the school.
• School nurses and other school employees (including unlicensed medication assistants): may administer diabetes-related injectable medications under guidelines; receive training; immune from civil liability for acts performed under the act; not required to serve as unlicensed medication assistants.
• Local boards of education and school systems: must implement IHPlans, provide training, ensure on-site care, and designate staffing as needed to meet student health needs.
• Physicians, certified registered nurse practitioners, and physician assistants: immune from civil liability for orders or actions taken under the act; physicians have no supervisory authority over school execution of the IHPlan.
• Private schools: may provide training and diabetes care to students in accordance with the act.
• Parents/guardians: must provide required medical orders and medications as part of the IHPlan; may be responsible for providing care if the school does not supply it.

Key Provisions

• Defines key terms: delegation, individual health plan, school, school employee, unlicensed medication assistant.
• Requires the Department of Education, with the Board of Nursing, to develop guidelines for training school employees in diabetes care, limited to injectable medications, by the 2015-2016 school year.
• Allows training of unlicensed medication assistants and permits placement of a school nurse based on a student’s health needs; prohibits coercion or penalty for staff who refuse to serve as unlicensed medication assistants.
• Requires parents to submit orders from a physician, CRNP (under a collaborative agreement), or PA (under supervision) to develop the student’s IHPl.
• Guarantees on-site diabetes care during school hours, activities, field trips, and buses when necessary.
• Allows licensed health professionals to train and supervise unlicensed assistants providing care under the act.
• Provides immunity from civil liability for school employees and for physicians, CRNPs, and PAs acting under the act; private schools may participate; effective date is July 1, 2014.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health