Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas House Bill HB2493

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to a notification requirement if a counselor is not assigned to a public school campus.

Impact

The implementation of HB2493 is expected to reinforce the importance of school counseling services and elevate parental awareness regarding their availability. By establishing a formal notification process, the bill seeks to foster better communication between schools and families, ensuring that parents are informed about the counseling resources available to their children. This could lead to increased scrutiny of schools’ staffing policies and potentially prompt schools to prioritize counselor assignments to meet the requirements set forth in the bill.

Summary

House Bill 2493 establishes a new requirement for public schools in Texas, mandating that schools provide parental notifications if a full-time school counselor is not assigned to the campus for more than 30 consecutive instructional days during the same school year. This is aimed at enhancing transparency regarding student support services available within schools. Under this legislation, the principal must ensure that parents or guardians receive written notice of a counselor's absence within 30 instructional days of its occurrence, thereby keeping families informed about the availability of crucial student support services.

Contention

While the bill has merit in promoting parental engagement and ensuring adequate student support, some concerns may arise regarding its practicality. Critics may question how schools can manage such notifications effectively, especially in districts facing staffing shortages or financial constraints that hinder the hiring of sufficient counselors. Additionally, there may be apprehensions about the overall effectiveness of the notifications in improving student support services when the core issue of staff availability is not addressed.

Future_considerations

As HB2493 takes effect with the start of the 2009-2010 school year, local education authorities will need to strategize on compliance measures associated with this new notification requirement. The success of the bill may heavily depend on local government support, ongoing funding for school counseling services, and the ability to maintain adequate staffing levels in public schools.

Companion Bills

TX SB568

Similar Relating to a notification requirement if a counselor is not assigned to a public school campus.

Previously Filed As

TX HB2694

Relating to a notification requirement if a public school does not have a nurse, school counselor, or librarian assigned to the school during all instructional hours.

TX HB1281

Relating to a notification requirement if a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school, does not have a nurse assigned to the school during all instructional hours.

TX HB1854

Relating to a notification requirement if a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school, does not have a nurse assigned to the school during all instructional hours.

TX SB193

Relating to a notification requirement if a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school, does not have a nurse assigned to the school during all instructional hours.

TX HB2176

Relating to a notification requirement if a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school, does not have a nurse assigned to the school during all instructional hours.

TX HB1061

Relating to a notification requirement concerning the availability of nurses on the campus of a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school.

TX HB1005

Relating to the assignment of public school students enrolled in certain school districts to an uncertified teacher.

TX HB3735

Relating to the administration of opioid antagonists by a school nurse at public school campuses.

TX HB4058

Relating to the use of opioid antagonists on the campuses of public and private schools and institutions of higher education and at or in transit to or from off-campus school events.

TX HB1249

Relating to continuing education requirements for public school counselors.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.