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2019 SESSION

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HB 2623 Public schools; counseling services, parental rights.

Introduced by: Margaret B. Ransone | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Board of Education; school counseling services; model policies. Requires the Board of Education to develop a model policy for the provision of counseling services in public schools that includes provisions for parental consent, written parental notification, parental involvement, as appropriate, confidentiality, procedures by which a parent may limit or prohibit his child's participation, appropriate exceptions such as imminent need, health, or safety or maintaining order in the school, and other necessary provisions as determined by the Board. The bill requires the Board of Education, in developing such model policy, to seek to balance the needs of students with the rights of parents.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Public schools; counseling services; parental rights. Prohibits a student from being required to receive personal or social counseling services without written parental consent. Provides that a parent of a student may, at his sole discretion, be present at any personal or social counseling service in which his child is required to participate. The bill requires parental notification for each instance a student is required to receive personal or social counseling services, which notification shall include information about the services that are scheduled for the student, the purpose and general description of the services, ways parents may review materials to be used, and the procedures by which parents may be present or limit or prohibit the student's participation.