Existing law establishes various requirements governing educational personnel, including requirements governing the licensing, qualifications, employment, powers, duties, supervision and evaluation of such personnel. (Chapter 391 of NRS) Under existing law, the Commission on Professional Standards in Education is required to adopt regulations relating to the qualifications for licensure of teachers and other educational personnel, including: (1) regulations relating to the qualifications for licensure of school counselors and school social workers; and (2) regulations that allow a person who is currently employed by a public school in a position to provide support or other services relating to school psychology to simultaneously complete a program of internship in psychology. (NRS 391.019, 391.0349) Section 2 of this bill requires the Commission to adopt regulations that allow a person who is employed by a public school in a position relating to school counseling or school social work, as applicable, and is enrolled in a program that would allow the person to obtain a license or endorsement as a school counselor or school social worker, as applicable, to simultaneously complete any required internship or practicum hours for the purpose of obtaining such a license or endorsement. Section 2 further requires the Commission to adopt regulations that allow a person who is employed by a public school in a position relating to school psychology and is enrolled in a program that would allow the person to obtain a license or endorsement as a school psychologist to simultaneously complete any required practicum hours. Existing law establishes the powers and duties of a school counselor and school social worker. (NRS 391.293, 391.296) Existing law requires each public school, including each charter school, to the extent that money is available for that purpose, to employ a school counselor at the school on a full-time basis. (NRS 388.055) Section 1 of this bill additionally requires each public school in a county whose population is 700,000 or more (currently only Clark County), to the extent that money is available for that purpose, to employ a school social worker at the school on a full-time basis. Section 1 also prohibits, insofar as is practicable, each public school from entering into a contract with an independent contractor for the provision of the services that a school social worker is authorized to perform.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 391.019
Reprint 1: 391.019
BDR: 391.019