Bill Text: CT SB00186 | 2018 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Concerning School Counselors.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Passed) 2018-05-29 - Signed by the Governor [SB00186 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2018-SB00186-Chaptered.html
AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL COUNSELORS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (a) of section 10-21j of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(a) The Commissioner of Education, in collaboration with the Board of Regents for Higher Education, shall establish a committee to coordinate the education of middle school and high school students about careers in manufacturing. Such committee shall include, but not be limited to, (1) representatives from the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Labor Department, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, the Technical Education and Career System, the advanced manufacturing centers at the regional community-technical colleges, independent institutions of higher education in the state that offer training in the field of manufacturing, the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, manufacturing companies and employee organizations that represent manufacturing workers, and (2) middle and high school teachers, [and] guidance counselors and school counselors.
Sec. 2. Subsection (d) of section 10-21j of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(d) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the committee established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, shall develop and administer a program to introduce middle school and high school students, their parents or guardians, [and] guidance counselors and school counselors to careers in manufacturing. Such program may include, but is not limited to, hands-on learning opportunities, posters, videos, pamphlets and social media and other technology to describe and promote modern manufacturing and the programs included in the catalog described in subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner may enter into partnerships with one or more private sector entities to further the goals of such program. Such partnerships may include, but are not limited to, student visits to manufacturers and manufacturer visits to schools in order to give students first hand exposure to modern manufacturing and the products and materials created by manufacturers in the state.
Sec. 3. Section 10-76t of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
As used in sections 10-76u to 10-76x, inclusive, "department" means the Department of Education and "mental health professionals" include guidance counselors, school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, school nurses and child mental health specialists in community mental health centers and child guidance clinics.
Sec. 4. Section 10-184 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
All parents and those who have the care of children shall bring them up in some lawful and honest employment and instruct them or cause them to be instructed in reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic and United States history and in citizenship, including a study of the town, state and federal governments. Subject to the provisions of this section and section 10-15c, each parent or other person having control of a child five years of age and over and under eighteen years of age shall cause such child to attend a public school regularly during the hours and terms the public school in the district in which such child resides is in session, unless such child is a high school graduate or the parent or person having control of such child is able to show that the child is elsewhere receiving equivalent instruction in the studies taught in the public schools. For the school year commencing July 1, 2011, and each school year thereafter, the parent or person having control of a child seventeen years of age may consent, as provided in this section, to such child's withdrawal from school. Such parent or person shall personally appear at the school district office and sign a withdrawal form. Such withdrawal form shall include an attestation from a guidance counselor, school counselor or school administrator of the school that such school district has provided such parent or person with information on the educational options available in the school system and in the community. The parent or person having control of a child five years of age shall have the option of not sending the child to school until the child is six years of age and the parent or person having control of a child six years of age shall have the option of not sending the child to school until the child is seven years of age. The parent or person shall exercise such option by personally appearing at the school district office and signing an option form. The school district shall provide the parent or person with information on the educational opportunities available in the school system.
Sec. 5. Subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 10-198c of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(2) Any attendance review team established under this subsection may consist of school administrators, guidance counselors, school counselors, school social workers, teachers and representatives from community-based programs who address issues related to student attendance by providing programs and services to truants, as defined in section 10-198a, and chronically absent children and their parents or guardians. Each attendance review team shall be responsible for reviewing the cases of truants and chronically absent children, discussing school interventions and community referrals for such truants and chronically absent children and making any additional recommendations for such truants and chronically absent children and their parents or guardians. Each attendance review team shall meet at least monthly.
Sec. 6. Subsection (b) of section 10-221o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(b) Not later than October 1, 2013, each local and regional board of education shall adopt a policy, as the board deems appropriate, concerning the issue regarding any school employee being involved in preventing a student from participating in the entire time devoted to physical exercise in the regular school day, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, as a form of discipline. For purposes of this section, "school employee" means (1) a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (2) any other individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education.
Sec. 7. Section 10-221u of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
Not later than October 1, 2013, each local and regional board of education shall adopt a policy, as the board deems appropriate, concerning the issue regarding any school employee being involved in requiring any student enrolled in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, to engage in physical activity as a form of discipline during the regular school day. For purposes of this section, "school employee" means (1) a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (2) any other individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education.
Sec. 8. Subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 10-222d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(8) "School employee" means (A) a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (B) any other individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education; and
Sec. 9. Section 10a-161 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
The Office of Higher Education shall: (1) Establish state-wide policy pertaining to student financial assistance; (2) establish procedure by regulation, for the award of financial assistance under sections 10a-167 and 10a-173; (3) review and approve applications for financial assistance under sections 10a-168 and 10a-173; (4) receive and review records of all financial assistance granted pursuant to section 10a-167; (5) increase the availability of the state financial assistance programs to all segments of the state population, with significant attention to those with special needs; and (6) assist financial aid officers at institutions of higher education and secondary school guidance counselors and school counselors in becoming better informed about matters concerning student financial assistance affairs.
Sec. 10. Subdivision (1) of section 19a-600 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(1) "Counselor" means: (A) A psychiatrist, (B) a psychologist licensed under chapter 383, (C) a clinical social worker licensed under chapter 383b, (D) a marital and family therapist licensed under chapter 383a, (E) an ordained member of the clergy, (F) a physician assistant licensed under section 20-12b, (G) a nurse-midwife licensed under chapter 377, (H) a certified guidance counselor or school counselor, (I) a registered professional nurse licensed under chapter 378, or (J) a practical nurse licensed under chapter 378.
Sec. 11. Subsection (a) of section 46a-11b of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(a) Any physician or surgeon licensed under the provisions of chapter 370, any resident physician or intern in any hospital in this state, whether or not so licensed, any registered nurse, any person paid for caring for persons in any facility and any licensed practical nurse, medical examiner, dental hygienist, dentist, occupational therapist, optometrist, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, social worker, school teacher, school principal, school guidance counselor, school counselor, school paraprofessional, mental health professional, physician assistant, licensed or certified substance abuse counselor, licensed marital and family therapist, speech and language pathologist, clergyman, police officer, pharmacist, physical therapist, licensed professional counselor or sexual assault counselor or domestic violence counselor, as defined in section 52-146k, who has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person with intellectual disability or any person who receives services from the Department of Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services has been abused or neglected shall, as soon as practicable but not later than seventy-two hours after such person has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a person with intellectual disability or any person who receives services from the Department of Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services has been abused or neglected, report such information or cause a report to be made in any reasonable manner to the commissioner. Such initial report shall be followed up by a written report not later than five calendar days after the initial report was made. Any person required to report under this subsection who fails to make such report shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.
Sec. 12. Subdivision (13) of section 53a-65 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(13) "School employee" means: (A) A teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or a private elementary, middle or high school or working in a public or private elementary, middle or high school; or (B) any other person who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in (i) a public elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education, or (ii) a private elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract with the supervisory agent of such private school.
Sec. 13. Subsection (d) of section 54-209 of the 2018 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2018):
(d) In instances where a violation of section 53-21, 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70b, 53a-70c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-73a, 53a-82 or 53a-192a has been alleged, the Office of Victim Services or, on review, a victim compensation commissioner, may order compensation be paid if (1) the personal injury has been disclosed to: (A) A physician or surgeon licensed under chapter 370; (B) a resident physician or intern in any hospital in this state, whether or not licensed; (C) a physician assistant licensed under chapter 370; (D) an advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse or practical nurse licensed under chapter 378; (E) a psychologist licensed under chapter 383; (F) a police officer; (G) a mental health professional; (H) an emergency medical services provider licensed or certified under chapter 368d; (I) an alcohol and drug counselor licensed or certified under chapter 376b; (J) a marital and family therapist licensed under chapter 383a; (K) a domestic violence counselor or a sexual assault counselor, as defined in section 52-146k; (L) a professional counselor licensed under chapter 383c; (M) a clinical social worker licensed under chapter 383b; (N) an employee of the Department of Children and Families; or (O) a school principal, a school teacher, [or] a school guidance counselor or a school counselor, and (2) the office or commissioner, as the case may be, reasonably concludes that a violation of any of said sections has occurred.