Bill > HB192

This bill makes several changes to Pennsylvania's Public School Code related to educational personnel and health services. It repeals existing provisions about psychological services in intermediate units, updates the definition of professional employees to explicitly include school social workers, and establishes new requirements for various school-based support professionals. The bill sets specific student-to-professional ratios for school counselors (250 students), school psychologists (500 students), school social workers (250 students), and school nurses (ranging from 125 to 750 students depending on the population). It mandates that school counselors, psychologists, and social workers collaborate with other school staff to provide intervention and support services, and requires documentation of social, emotional, and behavioral data in student health records. The bill also defines qualifications for these roles, specifying that each professional must hold a valid certificate from the Department of Education or meet alternative licensing criteria. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for transferring and maintaining student health records between school entities, with restrictions on record destruction and sharing. These changes aim to standardize and improve mental health and support services in Pennsylvania schools by ensuring qualified professionals are available to students and establishing clear guidelines for their roles and responsibilities.

Education

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=192