AZ HB2847

Requires each school district and charter school to hire at least one school counselor or school social worker for every 550 students enrolled, beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026, if sufficient funding is appropriated.

Schools with fewer than 550 students must either hire one counselor/social worker on a part-time basis or enter into an intergovernmental agreement with other districts to contract for these services.

Establishes certification requirements through the state board of education for school counselors and school social workers, effective after June 30, 2021, with standards conforming to national school counseling program standards.

Creates the school counseling and school social worker plan grant fund administered by the department of education, allowing schools and districts to apply for grants to implement comprehensive counseling and social worker plans.

Appropriates $19 million for fiscal year 2020-2021, increasing to $95 million by fiscal year 2024-2025 for the school counseling and school social worker plan grant fund.