HBA-JEK S.B. 518 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 518
By: Lucio
Public Education
5/6/2001
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law describes the primary responsibilities and duties of public
school counselors working in schools that receive compensatory education
allotment funding for counseling programs, including duties associated with
parental consent, parental involvement, and developmental guidance and
counseling programs.  The law requires a certified counselor working at an
elementary school receiving such funding to work with school faculty and
staff, students, parents, and the community to plan, implement, and
evaluate a developmental guidance and counseling program.  Senate Bill 518
extends the application of these provisions to school counselors who are
employed by schools not receiving the allotment for counseling programs. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 518 amends the Education Code to apply provisions regarding
parental consent, parental involvement, duties of counselors, and
developmental guidance and counseling programs to all school districts
rather than only schools receiving compensatory education allotment funds
for counseling programs. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the
2001-2002 school year. 

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 modifies a public school counselor's  duty to
participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive
developmental guidance program to serve all students and to address the
special needs of certain students to include the needs of students who are
gifted and talented, with an emphasis on identifying and serving gifted and
talented students who are educationally disadvantaged.   

Committee Amendment No. 2 stipulates that the guidance curriculum designed
by a counselor to help students develop their full potential include the
student's interests and career objectives.