Substitute House Bill 491 Summary

• Issues substitute licenses for eight categories of pupil services personnel including speech-language pathologists, audiologists, registered nurses, physical/occupational therapists, therapy assistants, and social workers upon submission of valid occupational license and criminal records check.

• Limits school treasurer liability for loss of public funds to cases involving negligence or wrongful acts, protecting treasurers who perform duties with reasonable care.

• Requires school districts to adopt policies establishing parameters for completing and grading assignments missed due to suspension, prohibiting failing grades solely based on suspension.

• Revises school resource officer training requirements to include instruction on school campuses, security needs, developmentally appropriate discipline practices, and youth interaction strategies, with training provided by approved entities.

• Permits the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board to temporarily approve unaccredited counseling education programs for up to a specified period before full accreditation occurs.

• Extends alternative high school graduation pathways through the class of 2020 for students who entered ninth grade between July 1, 2016 and July 1, 2017.