Source: American Diabetes Association Publication date: 2002-08-30 The American Diabetes Association applauds the North Carolina General Assembly for passing Senate Bill 911, the Care for School Children with Diabetes Act. The legislation passed unanimously in both the state House and Senate on August 29, 2002, and is on its way to Governor Mike Easley (D) for his signature. The legislation calls on the North Carolina Board of Education to adopt uniform guidelines for the care of children with diabetes in the state's public schools. The Board's guidelines must be based on those set by the American Diabetes Association, which recommend in part that: -- School personnel be trained on the treatment of diabetes and hypoglycemia; -- Children be allowed to snack and monitor their blood sugar anywhere on school grounds, including in the classroom and on the school bus; and -- Students have access to glucagon at all times. The Board of Education has until January 15, 2003 to adopt these guidelines, which must be implemented in time for the start of the 2003 - 2004 school year. Special thanks must go to the following diabetes advocates and elected officials for their commitment to this issue: -- John Bowdish, Chair of the Southern Division of the American Diabetes Association and a longtime diabetes advocate; -- Sharon Pearce, dedicated volunteer and mother of a child with diabetes; -- State Representative Gene Rogers (D-Williamston), sponsor of original house bill, HB1636, who also has diabetes in his family; -- State Senator Patrick Ballentine (R-Wilmington), sponsor of the original senate bill, SB1200; -- State Representative Thomas Wright (D-Wilmington), Chair of the House Health Committee, and longtime diabetes advocate; -- State Representative Zeno Edwards (D-Washington), Vice Chair of the House Health Committee, who sponsored necessary amendments to the legislation; -- Senator Tony Rand (D-Fayetteville), Majority Leader who handled SB 911 on the Senate floor for Concurrence; and -- ADA staff members Ivan Lanier, Ed Owens, Debra Schmidt and Pam MacDonald. View the North Carolina General Assembly Web site at <A HREF="http://www.ncleg.net/">www.ncleg.net</A>. Learn more about the Association's advocacy initiatives at <A HREF="http://www.diabetes.org/">www.diabetes.org</A>. Publication date: 2002-08-30 ) 2002, YellowBrix, Inc.