AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ACTING JOINTLY WITH THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, TO ESTABLISH A PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS PILOT PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO DETERMINE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN WHICH THE PILOT PROGRAM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PILOT PROGRAM; TO PROHIBIT ANY EFFORT TO COUNSEL THAT ABORTION CAN BE USED TO PREVENT THE BIRTH OF A BABY; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WITH THE INPUT OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON THE PILOT PROGRAM TO THE CHAIRMEN OF CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2031; TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Impact
The bill outlines that participating school districts must implement the pilot program starting in the 2026-2027 school year and run it for four consecutive years. Each selected district will ensure that there is at least one professional school counselor per school. The law emphasizes the importance of data collection and evaluation, mandating annual reports assessing the pilot program's effectiveness, which includes analyzing trends in teen pregnancies and school violence rates before and during the program's implementation.
Summary
House Bill 190 mandates the establishment of a Professional School Counselors Pilot Program in Mississippi, specifically targeting school districts with high rates of teenage pregnancy and school violence. This program is a collaborative effort involving the State Board of Education, the State Department of Health, and the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Its primary objective is to enhance the delivery of counseling services within schools and evaluate the impact of having professional school counselors on student outcomes, particularly reducing incidences of teen pregnancy and violence in schools.
Reporting
Furthermore, by January 1, 2031, the State Department of Education is required to submit a comprehensive report concerning the pilot program's outcomes to various legislative committees. The report will include comparative data on teenage pregnancy and school violence, along with actionable recommendations regarding the program's future, which will inform whether the initiative should be expanded statewide.
Contention
A notable point of contention within the bill is its prohibition against counselors discussing abortion as a method to prevent childbirth. This restriction may raise concerns among advocates for comprehensive health education. The bill stipulates that professional school counselors must adhere to these guidelines while still striving to provide emotional and educational support to students. As such, critics may view this as an infringement on the counselors’ ability to provide complete medical information, potentially limiting open conversations with students on reproductive health.