HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2

TO

HOUSE BILL NO. 100

AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 11 through 13 in their entirety.

FUTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 17 through 19 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting line 21 in its entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 24 and 25 in their entirety,

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting line 27 in its entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 31 through 33 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting line 35 in its entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting line 37 in its entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting line 39 in its entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 42 and 43 and their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 46 and 47 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 51 through 56 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting line 58 in its entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 62 through 64 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 67 and 68 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 73 through 76 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 79 and 80 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 85 through 88 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting line 92 through 94 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 97 and 98 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 101 and 102 in their entirety.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 109 through 112 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“ (1) In fiscal year 2022, one unit for each 400 full-time equivalent students in a school district or charter school, grades K through 5 for employment of a full-time school counselor, or school social worker or a licensed clinical social worker who is certified by the Delaware Department of Education as a school social worker. Districts and charter schools shall qualify for funding for a fractional part of 400 full-time equivalent pupils enrolled in grades K through 5.

(2) In fiscal year 2023, one unit for each 325 full-time equivalent students in a school district or charter school, grades K through 5 for employment of a full-time school counselor, or school social worker or a licensed clinical social worker who is certified by the Delaware Department of Education as a school social worker. Districts and charter schools shall qualify for funding for a fractional part of 325 full-time equivalent pupils enrolled in grades K through 5.

(3) Beginning in fiscal year 2024, one unit for each 250 full-time equivalent students in a school district or charter school, grades K through 5 for employment of a full-time school counselor, or school social worker or a licensed clinical social worker who is certified by the Delaware Department of Education as a school social worker. Districts and charter schools shall qualify for funding for a fractional part of 250 full-time equivalent pupils enrolled in grades K through 5” and redesignate accordingly. “

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 on line 121 by deleting “ licensed mental health counselors ” and inserting in lieu thereof: “ licensed mental health therapists ”.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by deleting lines 132 through 135 in their entirety and redesignating accordingly.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 on line 138 by deleting " a-time " as it appears after " of " and before " certified " and inserting in lieu thereof: " a full-time ".

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 on line 140 by inserting after “ board ” and before the period as they appear therein the following: “ until such time as school psychologists are no longer designated by the Department of Education as certification shortage area ”.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 by inserting after line 145 and before line 146 the following:

“ ( ) To the extent possible, school districts should prioritize the hiring and placement of staff hired pursuant to this section in schools with the highest percentage of low-income students, English language learners and students with disabilities. ”

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 100 on line 147 by inserting “ district pre-schools ” after “ Delaware ” and “ middle ” as they appear therein.

SYNOPSIS

This amendment phases implementation of House Bill No. 100 out over three years in regard to school counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and school social workers. Current ratios of students to these professionals far exceed those recommended by leading counseling and mental health organizations. Gradual implementation is needed to allow Delaware school districts time recruit and retain these critical positions. This amendment also provides districts flexibility to allocate units where needed most, prioritizing disadvantaged students and students with special needs. Additionally, it adds district Pre-Kindergarten to the strategic plan. The amendment also makes technical corrections since there was duplication of many of the "Whereas" clauses.