MS SB2600

Requires educator preparation programs to include mental disturbance awareness and trauma-informed approaches in school discipline and classroom management courses as a condition for approval.

Establishes that public school districts and charter schools must employ at least one school counselor per 250 students, with at least one counselor in each school as funds allow, or one district-wide counselor serving all schools on a rotational basis.

Mandates school counselors or mental health providers create a trauma-informed team at each school to identify students impacted by trauma and provide annual training to staff on recognizing and responding to trauma symptoms.

Authorizes school districts to enter memoranda of agreement with national social work consortiums and state universities to place master's-level graduate students in schools as counselors under supervised internship programs.

Requires the Department of Education and Department of Mental Health to create a toolkit by July 1, 2025, and directs all school districts to develop trauma-informed implementation plans by July 1, 2027, with reports on school counselor placement due annually by November 1st.