Monumental win for students with diabetes in Virginia schools

4.6.2026, Richmond, Virginia— The Virginia Governor has signed SB122 and HB1301 into law, strengthening and modernizing 26-year-old laws to better support students with diabetes in schools and reflect the diabetes management students use today, effective July 1, 2026. A few of the updates include:
-Permitting students to text with parents about diabetes-related decisions
-Nurses and trained staff may assist with insertion of insulin pump and and parts
-Prevents school divisions from blocking willing and trained staff from providing care
-Providing annual information to parents about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
-Requiring the development and implementation of divisionwide diabetes plans

While these laws apply only in Virginia, the challenges that led those families to push for change, are the same ones that students with T1D face across the country. When families come together, share their experiences, and advocate and educate schools, stakeholders, and lawmakers, it can lead to laws that reflect current diabetes care, remove barriers, set clear expectations, and strengthen support for students. When was the last time your state updated its laws on diabetes care in schools?

I would like to thank Virginia’s Senator McPike and Delegate Thomas, the more than 600 Virginians who emailed, testified, and supported this effort throughout the last two legislative sessions, and the FOLLOWT1Ds team for their tireless work on this bill over the past two years.

Read about what the bill does here: 2026 Virginia Bill Infographic