FL S0902

Establishes the Blue Ribbon Panel Task Force within the Department of Education to study the relationship between expanded school counseling resources and student mental health, academic performance, graduation rates, and behavioral outcomes.

Task force comprises eight members including a workforce board representative, school principal with RAMP designation, parent-teacher organization member, leaders from Florida and American School Counselor Associations, school administrator, and one member each from the Florida Senate and House of Representatives.

Task force must complete appointments by August 1, 2014, hold initial meeting by October 1, 2014, meet quarterly, and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature by December 15, 2016.

Task force shall study benefits of increased school counselor staffing, review and recommend updates to Florida's School Counseling and Guidance Framework, and recommend a grant process for funding additional counselor positions where needed.

Task force members serve without compensation but receive per diem and travel expense reimbursement; task force terminates upon submission of final report; Department of Education provides staff and administrative support.