Bill > HB2050

This bill modifies the duties and responsibilities of public school counselors in Texas by updating the Education Code. The primary responsibility of school counselors remains focused on counseling students to develop their academic, career, and personal abilities, with a notable change from the previous language that included "social" abilities. The bill expands the counselor's role in implementing a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, specifically broadening the description of students who may need special support. These students now explicitly include those at risk of choosing unhealthy solutions to problems or engaging in harmful behavior toward themselves or others, in addition to existing categories like dropout risk, substance abuse, gang activity, and suicide risk. The bill maintains other existing counselor responsibilities, such as consulting with parents, coordinating resources, interpreting test results, delivering guidance activities, and serving as a neutral resource for interpersonal conflicts. The changes will take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, and the bill becomes effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, or otherwise on September 1, 2025.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2050