HF 605

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/10/2015 04:58pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring adequate levels of school counseling services;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 121A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [121A.24] LICENSED SCHOOL COUNSELORS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Counselors. new text end

new text begin A school district shall provide adequate school
counseling services to its students. A school district may directly employ or contract
for licensed school counselors.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Ratio. new text end

new text begin For the 2016-2017 school year and later, the ratio of students to
licensed school counselors must not exceed 400 enrolled students in kindergarten through
grade 12 per licensed school counselor. In any year, a school district's ratio may exceed
this amount by up to 20 percent, provided that the five-year average does not exceed the
ratio of 400 enrolled students per licensed school counselor.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin School counseling aid. new text end

new text begin A school district is eligible for school counseling
aid equal to $....... times the number of full-time equivalent licensed school counselors
employed or under contract to the school district.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2016-2017 school year and
later.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin SCHOOL COUNSELORS; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of
Education for school counseling aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.24.
new text end