Mississippi Senate Bill SB2058

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/9/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

School counselors; delete requirement of counselors to abide by the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics.

Impact

The passage of SB2058 could have significant implications for the practice of school counseling in Mississippi. By eliminating the obligation to follow a standardized ethical code established by a national organization, the state is effectively granting local school boards the authority to define their own ethical standards for school counselors. This could result in variations in counseling practices across different districts, potentially affecting the quality of services provided to students. The bill aims to streamline counseling provisions while allowing flexibility for local governance.

Summary

Senate Bill 2058 seeks to amend Section 37-9-79 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 by removing the requirement for professional school counselors to adhere to the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics. This legislative change will allow for greater discretion by local school boards regarding the hiring and operational practices of school counselors within Mississippi's K-12 educational system. The bill emphasizes that the assignment of school counselors will be at the local school board's discretion, subject to certain stipulations regarding qualifications and responsibilities.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention surrounding this bill, particularly concerning the potential implications for student welfare and support services. Critics could argue that removing adherence to a professional code of ethics may lead to inconsistencies in the quality of counseling services, thereby compromising the standards designed to protect and promote students' wellbeing. Proponents, however, may contend that local control enables more tailored responses to the unique needs of individual districts, which could foster a more responsive and effective educational environment.