Bill Text: MS HB440 | 2014 | Regular Session | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Professional school counselors; revise manner of reference and duties and responsibilities of.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Failed) 2014-03-10 - Died In Committee [HB440 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2014-HB440-Engrossed.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2014 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representatives Moore, Dixon

House Bill 440

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CORRECT A CHANGE IN REFERENCE AND TITLE OF SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS TO PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS; TO REVISE CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ASSIGNED TO PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS AS THOSE DUTIES RELATE TO THE COUNSELORS' ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-9-79, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-9-79.  (1)  Beginning with the * * * 2002‑20032014-2015 school year, the assignment of K-12 * * * School Guidanceprofessional school counselors to the particular schools within the district shall be at the discretion of the local school board with the following restrictions:

          (a)  No individual shall be employed as a * * * school guidanceprofessional school counselor without a minimum of a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling, or in an emergency situation, an appropriate certification as determined by the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development; and

          (b)  * * * School guidanceProfessional school counselors shall provide the following comprehensive counseling services:   

               (i)  Academic and personal/social counseling;

               (ii)  * * * Student assessment and assessment counselingUse of multiple student data sources to assist students in making informed academic and career choices;

               (iii)  Career and educational counseling;

               (iv)  Individual and group counseling (large/small);

               (v)  Crisis intervention and preventive counseling;

               (vi)  Referrals to community agencies;

               (vii)  Educational consultations and collaboration with teachers, administrators, parents and community leaders;

               (viii)  Educational and career placement services;

               (ix)  Follow-up counseling services; and

               (x)  Conflict resolution * * *; and.

                * * *

(xi)  Other counseling duties or other duties as assigned by the school principal.

     (2)  Professional school counselors must spend a minimum of eighty percent (80%) of their contractual time to the delivery of services to students as outlined by the American School Counselor Association.  For purposes of this section "delivery of services" means the direct services provided to students, parents, school staff and the community which facilitate the personal social interaction between professional school counselors and students.  These direct services may include the delivery of the following:

          (a)  School counseling core curriculum that is designed to help students attain the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills appropriate for their developmental level.  The school counseling core curriculum is delivered throughout the school's overall curriculum and may be presented by professional school counselors in collaboration with other professional educators and other resources.  Collaborative efforts may be implemented to enhance the services provided;

          (b)  Individual student planning that provides the opportunity for professional school counselors to coordinate ongoing systemic activities or individual group sessions designed to assist students in establishing personal and social goals and in developing future career plans;

          (c)  Responsive services that are designed to meet students' immediate needs and concerns in regard to social and personal issues.  Responsive services may include counseling in individual, small group settings or crisis responses; and

          (d)  Indirect Student Services that are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselors' interactions with others including referrals for additional assistance, consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations.

     ( * * *23)  * * * School guidanceProfessional school counselors shall abide by the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics.

     ( * * *34)  The State Department of Education may adopt regulations regarding the activities of the * * * school guidanceprofessional school counselor as are not inconsistent with this section.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.

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