Sec. 168.005.  TRAINING FOR UNLICENSED DIABETES CARE ASSISTANT.  (a)  The Texas Diabetes Council shall develop guidelines, with the assistance of the following entities, for the training of unlicensed diabetes care assistants:
(1)  the department's School Health Program;
(2)  the American Diabetes Association;
(3)  the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International;
(4)  the American Association of Diabetes Educators;
(5)  the Texas Nurses Association;
(6)  the Texas School Nurse Organization; and
(7)  the Texas Education Agency.
(b)  If a school nurse is assigned to a campus, the school nurse shall coordinate the training of school employees acting as unlicensed diabetes care assistants.
(c)  Training under this section must be provided by a health care professional with expertise in the care of persons with diabetes or by the school nurse.  The training must be provided before the beginning of the school year or as soon as practicable following:
(1)  the enrollment of a student with diabetes at a campus that previously had no students with diabetes; or
(2)  a diagnosis of diabetes for a student at a campus that previously had no students with diabetes.
(d)  The training must include instruction in:
(1)  recognizing the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia;
(2)  understanding the proper action to take if the blood glucose levels of a student with diabetes are outside the target ranges indicated by the student's diabetes management and treatment plan;
(3)  understanding the details of a student's individualized health plan;
(4)  performing finger-sticks to check blood glucose levels, checking urine ketone levels, and recording the results of those checks;
(5)  properly administering glucagon and insulin and recording the results of the administration;
(6)  recognizing complications that require seeking emergency assistance; and
(7)  understanding the recommended schedules and food intake for meals and snacks for a student with diabetes, the effect of physical activity on blood glucose levels, and the proper actions to be taken if a student's schedule is disrupted.
(e)  The school nurse or principal shall maintain a copy of the training guidelines and any records associated with the training.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1022 (H.B. 984), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.