PA HB2218

Requires all Pennsylvania school entities (districts, charter schools, cyber charters, intermediate units, and career/technical schools) to develop and implement written comprehensive school counseling plans covering kindergarten through grade 12, with plans reviewed annually and posted publicly online.

Mandates that school counselors spend at least 80% of their working time on student contact days providing direct services (classroom instruction, individual/group counseling, risk assessments, dropout/crisis interventions) and indirect services (consultations with parents, staff, and community agencies).

Establishes required plan components including foundation elements (vision, mission, goals), management systems using data analysis, delivery components for each grade and building, and accountability measures for regular program evaluation.

Directs counselors to provide academic advisement, career planning, and social-emotional support including suicide prevention, bullying prevention, conflict resolution, and interventions for at-risk students exhibiting dangerous behaviors like drug use or self-harm.

Requires the Department of Education to monitor compliance beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, employ at least one certified school counselor, and provide technical assistance to school entities.