Diabetes care in schools: benefits and pitfalls of Public Law 94-142.

The implementation of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (Pub L No. 94-142) has brought significant changes in educational services for health-impaired children. Health-related services are one of many important services available to children under Pub L No. 94-142. For some children with IDDM, specific diabetes-related care is essential for continued progress in school. However, barriers exist that impede access to related health support services, including lack of agreement about the applicability for Pub L No. 94-142 to children with IDDM, lack of consensus as to who should provide services, and concern about liability of school personnel. This paper describes those barriers and suggests approaches to overcome them. One such approach is an Indiana State legislative amendment that provides schools with immunity from civil liability for diabetes-related care.