Maryland House Bill HB306

Maryland 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/25/23

Caption

Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports – Membership – Alteration

Impact

If enacted, HB306 will modify the existing education laws pertaining to the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports. The bill aims to strengthen the consortium's ability to tackle issues related to mental health and educational support services for students by ensuring that school counselors, who have firsthand experience with the challenges faced by students, are duly represented.

Summary

House Bill 306 seeks to amend the composition of the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports by adding a school counselor certified by the State Department of Education to its membership. This bill is aimed at enhancing the inclusivity of the consortium, which plays an essential role in coordinating community support systems within schools. The alteration is intended to bring in perspectives from certified school counselors, thereby improving the consortium's effectiveness in addressing the needs of students in Maryland.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB306 may arise from discussions on the appropriateness of extending membership to include a specific role like that of a school counselor. Some may argue this shifts the consortium's makeup significantly, reflecting more direct educational interests rather than a broader perspective on community supports. Opponents may voice concerns regarding the balance of representation, and whether this change could lead to an emphasis on counseling methods at the expense of other vital support services that the consortium is designed to address.