Senate Bill 2441

(As Passed the Senate)

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 K-12 school guidance 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 guidance counselor without a minimum of a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling as determined by the State Department of Education; and

(b) School guidance counselors shall be full time and shall provide the following comprehensive counseling services:

(i) Academic and personal/social counseling;

(ii) Student assessment and assessment counseling;

(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.

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

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

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