25 LC 49 2045
House Bill 59
By: Representatives Glaize of the 67
th
, Evans of the 57
th
, Gilliard of the 162
nd
, Paris of the
142
nd
, and Dawson of the 65
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Code Section 20-2-182 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
program weights to reflect funds for payment of salaries and benefits, maximum class size,2
reporting requirements, and application to specific school years, so as to provide for state3
funding for one school counselor for every 250 full-time equivalent students; to provide for4
related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other5
purposes.6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7
SECTION 1.8
Code Section 20-2-182 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to program9
weights to reflect funds for payment of salaries and benefits, maximum class size, reporting10
requirements, and application to specific school years, is amended by revising subsection (c)11
as follows:12
"(c) The program weights for the kindergarten, kindergarten early intervention, primary,13
primary grades early intervention, upper elementary, upper elementary grades early14
intervention, middle school, and alternative education programs and the program weights15
for the high school programs authorized pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of16
H. B. 59
- 1 - 25 LC 49 2045
Code Section 20-2-151, when multiplied by the base amount, shall reflect sufficient funds
17
to pay the beginning salaries for at least one school counselor for every 450
250 full-time18
equivalent students. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2015 and thereafter, the program weights19
for the English for speakers of other languages program and the programs for persons with20
disabilities shall also earn school counselor funding. Further, beginning in Fiscal Year21
2016 and thereafter, the program weights for the program for intellectually gifted students22
and the remedial education program shall also earn school counselor funding. The duties23
and responsibilities for such school counselors shall be established by the state board to24
require a minimum of five of the six full-time equivalent program count segments of the25
counselor's time to be spent counseling or advising students or parents."26
SECTION 2.27
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law28
without such approval.29
SECTION 3.30
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.31
H. B. 59
- 2 -