MS HB440

Changes the title from "school guidance counselors" to "professional school counselors" beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

Requires professional school counselors to spend a minimum of 80% of their contractual time delivering direct services to students, parents, school staff, and the community.

Modifies counselor duties to include school counseling core curriculum, individual student planning, responsive services, and indirect student services, while removing the requirement to perform "other duties as assigned by the school principal."

Maintains the requirement that counselors hold a minimum Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling and must follow the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics.

Effective July 1, 2014.