AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to school counselors.
Summary
HB1130 would create a new state funding program for school counseling staff in Tennessee high schools. Subject to future appropriations, the Department of Education would allocate money to local education agencies (LEAs) so they can employ one full-time licensed professional school counselor at each high school with at least 600 students in grades 10-12. The bill also allows LEAs that already have part-time counselors at qualifying high schools to use the funds to convert those positions to full-time roles, and it preserves flexibility for LEAs that already meet a counselor-to-student ratio of one full-time counselor per 250 students.
The bill directs the State Board of Education, in consultation with the department, to adopt rules defining the duties of counselors funded under this program and to set how much of their time must be spent on counseling services and related responsibilities. It requires that at least 70% of each funded counselor’s time be spent working directly with high school students. The bill also states that these funds are in addition to TISA funding and that it is not itself an appropriation, meaning no money can be spent unless the General Assembly separately funds it.
Impact
HB1130 would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49 by adding a new school-counselor funding and staffing requirement tied to high schools and LEAs. If funded by the legislature, it would create a new state obligation to support counselor positions, affect LEA staffing decisions, and potentially increase the number of full-time licensed professional school counselors in larger high schools. It would also authorize new State Board rules governing counselor duties and service-time requirements, while explicitly leaving existing TISA funding untouched and making clear that implementation depends on a separate appropriation.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded debate, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from the legislative process in the materials provided. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears policy-oriented and student-support focused, with an emphasis on expanding counseling access in high schools. Its structure suggests an intent to balance staffing mandates with flexibility for LEAs that already meet higher counselor staffing ratios.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is fiscal: the bill requires state funding only if the General Assembly separately appropriates money, and it could create ongoing costs for counselor positions across qualifying high schools. Another possible issue is administrative flexibility versus mandate, since LEAs must meet staffing expectations but may also use funds to convert part-time positions or rely on existing counselor-to-student ratios. The State Board’s authority to define additional counselor duties and time allocations could also draw scrutiny from districts concerned about state-imposed workload requirements.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to professional counselors.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to professional counselors.