House Bill 644

AN ACT TO DEFINE THE COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year,

the assignment of Grades K-12 school guidance counselors to the particular schools within a school district is at the discretion of the local school board subject to the following provisions:

(a) No individual may be employed as a school guidance counselor without, at a minimum, a master's degree in guidance and counseling, as determined by the State Department of Education; and

(b) School guidance counselors must be full-time personnel with, at a minimum, a master's degree in guidance and counseling.

(2) School guidance counselors shall provide the following comprehensive counseling services:

(a) Academic and personal or social counseling;

(b) Crisis intervention and prevention counseling; (c) Student assessment and assessment counseling;

(d) Career and educational counseling;

(e) Individual and group counseling (large or small groups);

(f) Referrals to community agencies;

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

(h) Educational and career placement services;

(i) Follow-up counseling services; and

(j) Conflict resolution.

(3) The State Department of Education may adopt regulations regarding the activities of the school guidance counselors which are not inconsistent with this section.

(4) School guidance counselors shall abide by the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.