82R2820 GCB-D

By: Lucio S.B. No. 466

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a requirement that public school counselors demonstrate knowledge of counseling regarding higher education to obtain a school counselor certificate.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.0461 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.0461. QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATION AS COUNSELOR. The qualifications specified under Section 21.041 for certification as a school counselor must include a requirement that a candidate for certification demonstrate proficiency in providing counseling regarding higher education as required by Section 33.007.

SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2012, the State Board for Educator Certification shall propose rules specifying qualifications for certification as a public school counselor that include the requirement prescribed by Section 21.0461, Education Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Section 21.0461, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies only to the qualifications for certification as a public school counselor for a person who completes an educator preparation program for preparation as a public school counselor during the 2013 spring semester or a later academic term. The qualifications for certification as a public school counselor for a person who completes the educator preparation program before the beginning of the 2013 spring semester are governed by the law and rules in effect at the time the person becomes certified, and that law and those rules are continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.