The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 291 Original 2020 Regular Session Jackson
Present law generally provides for school guidance counselors.
Proposed law retains present law, further provides for school counseling volunteers.
Proposed law requires the state Department of Education (DOE) to establish a program for training
and certifying persons to be counseling volunteers.
Proposed law provides that the DOE training sessions may be held in conjunction with other training
sessions, continuing education programs, or other professional development programs held by the
department. Requires the DOE to host at least two training sessions a year and disseminate
information relative to such sessions to each city, parish, and other local school board in a timely
fashion.
Proposed law prohibits persons who are guilty of or who have pled to certain crimes or whose name
is recorded on the state central registry for child abuse and neglect from being certified by DOE as
a counseling volunteer.
Proposed law further requires the DOE to perform a background review of the criminal history
information and state registry of child abuse and neglect of each person seeking certification. Further
provides that the DOE may collect the processing fees charged by specified state and federal
agencies performing background checks and timely submit the fees to the respective agencies.
Directs the La State Law Institute to recodify specific sections of present law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:607 and 608)