After an aggressive winter storm impacted our state last week, Missouri got yet another dose of winter precipitation, causing the Capitol to be slightly more quiet than usual. However, business in the Missouri Legislature continued, and on Wednesday, my legislation (SB 211) addressing the health and safety of Missouri students with diabetes was considered by the Senate Education Committee. According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 25.8 million children and adults in our country have diabetes — that’s 8.3 percent of the population. With a growing number of Americans with this health issue, we need to address how to best keep citizens healthy and safe, particularly our most vulnerable individuals — our children.

The legislation would require the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to develop guidelines by Jan. 15, 2014, for the training of school employees to care for students’ needs regarding diabetes. DESE would need to collaborate with Department of Health and Senior Services, the State Board of Nursing, and other related organizations to establish the guidelines. Schools and charter schools may adopt and implement the guidelines for all school nurses and diabetes care personnel.

The American Diabetes Association’s Safe at School Campaign points out that for students using insulin, diabetes must be managed 24 hours a day, seven days a week — this includes time children spend at school or participate in activities. No parent should have to worry about their child’s life in jeopardy while receiving an education. The Safe School Campaign notes that school nurses can’t be in multiple places at once, and sometimes need help. Therefore, if school faculty members are trained in diabetes management — such as how to recognize and treat high and low blood glucose levels — children will be that much safer while at school.

If you’d like to learn more about living with diabetes and how we can best keep our young ones safe, visit the American Diabetes Association’s website at www.diabetes.org. To follow the progress of SB 211, visit the Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov. Thank you for reading this legislative column and may God bless you always.