Alexandria, VA August 12, 2013
Contacts
Christine Feheley
cfeheley@diabetes.org
703-253-4374
Lauren Gleason
lgleason@diabetes.org
703-549-1500 ext. 2622
The American Diabetes Association is extremely pleased with the California Supreme Court’s decision in American Nurses Association v. Torlakson, a landmark case litigated by the Association involving diabetes care in California public schools.
Today’s decision made it clear that state law is not an obstacle to children with diabetes receiving the proper care and the insulin they need to be healthy and medically safe at school. The California Supreme Court agreed with the Association’s position that state law allows school personnel, who are not nurses, to volunteer and be trained to help children with the insulin they need to survive and thrive at school.
"Today's monumental California Supreme Court decision affirms that every child with diabetes has the right to access the lifesaving insulin needed to stay healthy and safe at school,” said Karen Talmadge, PhD, Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. “School staff can volunteer to be trained to provide diabetes care when a school nurse is unavailable. This means parents of children with diabetes can feel confident of their children's well-being when they send them to school every day.”
The Association recognizes the vital role school nurses play in maintaining the overall health of all students, including those with diabetes. The Court’s decision in no way lessens that role, as school nurses oversee diabetes care in schools, and coordinate and provide training to other school personnel so they can administer insulin when the school nurse is not available. The Association stands ready to assist and urges all California schools to take the necessary steps to train school staff in proper diabetes care.
The case came before the California Supreme Court after nearly eight years of litigation, which began with a class action lawsuit brought by the Association that was resolved by a settlement agreement allowing trained non-medical school personnel to administer insulin when a nurse is not available. That provision of the settlement was challenged in the current lawsuit by several nursing organizations, leading to today’s decision. The Association was represented by Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) and Reed Smith LLP.
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
