(a) Each local board of education and state-chartered special school shall ensure that there are at least two school employees trained in accordance with the Georgia Department of Education's, Guidelines for the Care Needed for Students with Diabetes in each school that has a student with diabetes. This training shall be conducted by a school nurse or other health care professional with expertise in diabetes and shall take place prior to the commencement ofeach school year, or as needed when a student with diabetes enrolls at a school, or when a student is newly diagnosed with diabetes. Local boards of education shall ensure that the school nurse or other health care professional provides follow-up training and supervision as necessary for compliance with this rule.

(b) Each local school system and state chartered special school shall provide information in the recognition of diabetes related emergency situations to all employed or contracted bus drivers responsible for the transportation of a student with diabetes.

(c) Each school shall review and implement the diabetes medical management plan provided by the parent or guardian of a student with diabetes who seeks diabetes care while at school.

(b) Each local board of education shall adopt a policy authorizing the self-administration of asthma medication by astudent who has asthma, provided that any student who is authorized for self-administration of asthma medication under such policy may possess and use his or her asthma medication:

• (1) While in school;
• (2) At a school sponsored activity;
• (3) While under the supervision of school personnel; or
• (4) While in before-school or after-school care on school operated property.

(c) Each public school in this state shall permit the self-administration of asthma medication by a student who has asthma, subject to the local policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section; and the school district and its employees and agents shall incur no liability other than for willful or wanton misconduct for any injury to a student caused by his or her self-administration of asthma medication.

(b) Each local board of education shall adopt a policy authorizing a student to carry and self-administer prescription auto-injectable epinephrine. Such policy shall provide that in order to carry and self-administer prescription auto-injectable epinephrine, the student's parent or guardian shall provide:

• (1) A written statement from a physician licensed under Chapter 34 of Title 43 detailing the name of the medication,method, amount, and time schedules by which the medication is to be taken, and confirming that the student is able to self-administer auto-injectable epinephrine; and
• (2) A written statement by the parent or guardian consenting to the self-administration, providing a release for the school nurse or other designated school personnel to consult with the physician regarding any questions that may arise with regard to the medication, and releasing the school system and its employees and agents from civil liability if the self-administering student suffers an adverse reaction as a result of self-administering auto-injectable epinephrine pursuant to this Code section. The written statements specified in this subsection shall be provided at least annually and more frequently if the medication, dosage, frequency of administration, or reason for administration changes.

(c) The policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section shall include provisions to protect the safety of all students from the misuse or abuse of auto-injectable epinephrine.

(b) Each local board of education shall adopt a policy authorizing school personnel to administer auto-injectable epinephrine, if available, to a student upon the occurrence of an actual or perceived anaphylactic adverse reaction by the student, whether or not such student has a prescription for epinephrine.

(c) Each local board of education shall provide information to school personnel on how to recognize the symptoms of anaphylactic shock and the correct method of administering the auto-injectable epinephrine.

(b) A public or private school in this state may acquire and stock a supply of auto-injectable epinephrine pursuant to aprescription issued in accordance with Code Section 26-4-116.1. A public or private school may designate an employeeor agent trained in the possession and administration of auto-injectable epinephrine to be responsible for the storage, maintenance, and distribution of the auto-injectable epinephrine stocked by the school.

(c) Any school employee or agent of a public or private school who has completed training or received information in accordance with subsection (c) of Code Section 20-2-776.1 in recognizing the symptoms of anaphylactic shock and the correct method of administering the auto-injectable epinephrine may:

• (1) Provide auto-injectable epinephrine to any student such employee or agent believes in good faith is experiencingan anaphylactic adverse reaction for immediate self-administration; or
• (2) Administer auto-injectable epinephrine to any student such employee or agent believes in good faith is experiencing an anaphylactic adverse reaction in accordance with a standing protocol from the prescribing licensed practitioner,regardless of whether the student has a prescription for auto-injectable epinephrine.

(b) Each local board of education shall adopt a policy authorizing school personnel to administer levalbuterol sulfate, if available, to a student upon the occurrence of perceived respiratory distress by the student, whether or not such student has a prescription for levalbuterol sulfate.

(c) Each local board of education shall provide information to school personnel on how to recognize the symptoms of respiratory distress and the correct method of administering the levalbuterol sulfate.

• (E) Administration of insulin and glucagon, an injectable used to raise blood glucose levels immediately for severe hypoglycemia, and the recording of results;
• (F) Performance of basic insulin pump functions;
• (G) Recognizing complications that require emergency assistance; and
• (H) Recommended schedules and food intake for meals and snacks, the effect of physical activity upon blood glucose levels, and actions to be implemented in the case of schedule disruption.

(b) (1) No later than August 1, 2012, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Georgia Association of School Nurses, shall develop guidelines for the training of school employees in the care needed for students with diabetes. The training guidelines shall include instruction in:

• (A) Recognition and treatment of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia;
• (B) Understanding the appropriate actions to take when blood glucose levels are outside of the target ranges indicated by a student's diabetes medical management plan;
• (C) Understanding physician instructions concerning diabetes medication dosage, frequency, and the manner of administration;
• (D) Performance of finger-stick blood glucose checking, ketone checking, and recording the results;

The School Nurse Exchange provides a collection of resources that address managing chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or allergies.