School nurses are asking for help fighting a bill they fear could reduce safety for all school children, especially those with diabetes.
They are urging their fellow IEA members to contact their legislators to fight against HB 6065/SB 3822.
House Bill 6065, which passed the Illinois House in March, and its companion Senate Bill 3822, would allow unlicensed individuals with no educational requirements to serve as “delegated care aides” to diabetic children.
These individuals would be responsible for delivering care to the diabetic child without liability including administering insulin, checking a student’s blood sugar and responding to emergency situations within the school.
If necessary, the “aide” would be authorized to contact healthcare providers to modify the diabetic plan of care for the child. These are all the essential functions of a school nurse.
To contact your legislator: Go to our “Contact Your Legislators” page, then scroll down to the “My Elected Official” section and fill in your address. Your lawmakers’ names will appear. Click on your lawmakers and you can see information about them, including how to contact them.
Nurses are the qualified healthcare professional taught to care for children with complex chronic illnesses in a school setting. Only nurses have the requisite education in assessment, planning and intervention to assess a child, administer insulin, communicate with providers, and respond in emergency situations for all children within the school.
The Coalition for Safe Health Care Management of School Children, which includes IEA members, urges everyone who is concerned about the safety of students in our schools to contact your state senator today and request they vote “no” to HB 6065/ SB 3822.
To further the safety of school children, urge your legislators to support school nurses in all youth educational settings across Illinois. Every child deserves a school nurse.
The Coalition for Safe Health Care Management of School Children include: The Illinois Nurses Association, Illinois Association of School Nurses, Illinois Chapter- American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Chicago Teachers Union and Campaign for Better Healthcare have come together as a coalition to oppose the language of HB 6065/SB 3822 and the implications it bears concerning the public safety for all school children, especially diabetic children.