SCHOOL COUNSELOR; RECIPROCITY S.B. 162 (S-2):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 162 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised School Code to do the following:
-- Modify the requirements for an individual to serve as a school counselor.
-- Allow an individual with a counseling license from out of state, country, or a Federally recognized Indian tribe obtain reciprocity if he or she served as a counselor for three years and successfully completed the Department of Education (MDE) counselor examination.
-- Allow the Superintendent of Public Instruction to issue a preliminary counselor license for an individual who had completed at least 30 semester hours in an approved school counselor preparation program and who had completed the MDE counselor examination.
-- Allow the Superintendent to issue a temporary school counselor license to an individual with a counseling license from out-of-State, country, or from a Federally recognized Indian tribe if the individual did not meet certain requirements.
BRIEF RATIONALE
According to testimony, Michigan schools are facing a shortage of school counselors due to a variety of factors, such as a high education requirement. Some people believe this counselor shortage deprives students of a vital mental health resource. Accordingly, it has been suggested that Michigan expand and ease the process of becoming a school counselor.
Legislative Analyst: Eleni Lionas
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the MDE and on local ISDs, school districts, and public school academies (PSAs).
The MDE would experience one-time and ongoing costs to update the school counselor credential requirement, certify out-of-State counselors, and issue a preliminary school counselor license. The costs would include one-time information technology costs to update the teacher certification system, and staff to update the new school counselor certification requirements. The MDE already has begun to update the teacher certification system and the full one-time costs likely would be supported with current appropriation. Ongoing costs would be minimal and likely would be supported with current appropriations. The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on local ISDs, school districts, and PSAs. Schools likely would be able to hire school counselors who hold a certification from out-of-State more easily, which could reduce the amount of time to hire school counselors. The overall costs throughout the State are indeterminate because of the differing needs and situations for each school.
Date Completed: 3-23-23 Fiscal Analyst: Cory Savino, PhD
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.