Pennsylvania HB 249: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for school counseling services.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 199
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 249
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SCIALABBA, KAUFFMAN, STAATS, DAY AND WALSH,
JANUARY 22, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 22, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," providing for school counseling
services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XIII-F
SCHOOL COUNSELING SERVICES
Section 1301-F. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
" Administrative activities." Activities that are not
directly related to the plan and that are absent of any direct
student services or interaction.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Direct services." As follows:
(1) Services that are provided through face-to-face
contact with students.
(2) The term includes the following:
(i) Classroom instruction.
(ii) Individual and group counseling for students.
(iii) Responsive services on behalf of a student
whose academic or career development is at risk.
Responsive services include the administration of a risk-
assessment.
(iv) Interventions for a student who is:
(A) at risk of dropping out of school; or
(B) exhibiting dangerous behaviors, such as drug
use, self-harm or gang activity.
"Indirect services." Consultations among a student, a parent
or legal guardian of the student, school staff and community
agencies concerning the student's academic or career needs.
"Plan." The school counseling plan under section 1302-F.
"School entity." Any of the following:
(1) A school district of any class.
(2) An intermediate unit as described in Article IX-A.
(3) A charter school as defined in section 1703-A.
(4) A cyber charter school as defined in section 1703-A.
(5) A regional charter school as defined in section
1703-A.
(6) An area career and technical school as described in
section 1841.
Section 1302-F. School counseling plan.
20250HB0249PN0199 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

(a) Authorization and purpose.--A school entity shall
develop and implement a written school counseling plan that
ensures that student services are coordinated in a manner that
provides academic or career developmental support to all
students of the school entity.
(b) Requirements generally.--A plan shall:
(1) Be implemented by a Pennsylvania-certified school
counselor.
(2) Utilize nationally recognized and State-recognized
counselor frameworks, which may not include medical guidance,
social and emotional learning, critical race theory or
behavioral health.
(3) Be reviewed annually and updated as needed by the
school counselor, in collaboration with the affected building
principal and other stakeholders, including parents or legal
guardians of enrolled students.
(4) Be systemically aligned to kindergarten through
grade 12 within the school entity.
(c) Components.--A plan shall contain the following:
(1) A foundation component that includes:
(i) A vision statement.
(ii) A mission statement.
(iii) Plan goals.
(2) A management component that utilizes assessments and
other data to develop, implement and evaluate the plan.
(3) A delivery component that focuses on direct services
and indirect services through the implementation of the plan.
(4) An accountability component that ensures regular
analysis of the plan.
(d) Guidance.--A plan shall:
20250HB0249PN0199 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

(1) Guide students in academic pursuits and career
planning.
(2) Follow the school counseling plan guidance provided
by the department that is limited to academic pursuits and
career planning.
Section 1303-F. School counselor use of time.
(a) General requirement.--A school entity shall allot
sufficient time for the school entity's counselor to carry out
the duties stated in the school entity's plan.
(b) Direct services and indirect services.--Direct services
and indirect services may be provided in collaboration with
other school personnel, parents or legal guardians, as provided
herein or otherwise deemed appropriate, and include:
(1) Providing academic advisement services, including:
(i) Developing an individual planning system to
guide a student to access and monitor the student's own
academic and career progress.
(ii) Guiding a student along the pathways to
graduation.
(iii) Guiding a student in goal-setting and course
selection aligned with the student's post-sec