Ga. House Bill 879: School Staff to Train in Diabetes Care | Health

A bill is making its way through the Georgia House of Representatives that would require all public schools to have at least two personnel trained in diabetes care.

State House Bill 879 was drafted in response to rising percentages of students with Type 2 diabetes.  The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta says around 13 thousand people under 20 are diagnosed nationwide each year.

Under the bill, non-medical staff members would receive basic skills training to help them recognize diabetic emergencies and help administer medications and insulin to students.

On Eyewitness News Mornin' Wednesday, Stephanie Susskind and Randall Savage shared comments from Democratic State Representative James Beverly of Macon on why he supports the legislation. 

Julie Deese, a Diabetes specialist with the Medical Center of Central Georgia's Diabetes HealthWays also talked with us about the special needs a student on insulin faces in the school environment.