This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 by adding a new article, ARTICLE XIII-F, which establishes comprehensive school counseling services across Pennsylvania's public and private educational institutions. The article outlines definitions related to school counseling, including terms such as "direct services," "indirect services," and "school counselor." It mandates that each school entity develop and implement a comprehensive school counseling plan that provides coordinated support for all students, ensuring that services are aligned from kindergarten through grade 12. The plan must include various components such as a foundation, management, delivery, and accountability, and it should guide students in their academic, career, and social-emotional development.

Additionally, the bill specifies that school counselors should spend at least 80% of their time providing direct and indirect services to students, with a maximum of 20% allocated for program planning and school support. It also requires school entities to post their counseling plans on publicly accessible websites and mandates oversight by the Department of Education starting in the 2025-2026 school year to ensure compliance with the new requirements. The Department will also provide support and guidance to help school entities meet these standards.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 969 (Jun 18, 2025): P.L.30, No.14