Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 198 (2015GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Arent, P.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/25/2015

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms;
• creates the Strengthening College and Career Readiness Program, a grant program for local education agencies, to improve students' college and career readiness through enhancing the skill level of school counselors to provide college and career counseling; and
• directs the State Board of Education to:
• develop a certificate for school counselors that certifies that a school counselor is highly skilled at providing college and career counseling;
• award grants to local education agencies, on a competitive basis, for payment of course fees for courses required to earn the certificate;
• make rules; and
• report to the Education Interim Committee.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

STRENGTHENING COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Patrice M. Arent
Senate Sponsor: 
Stephen H. Urquhart
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill creates a program to provide grants to local education agencies for
professional development for school counselors.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms;
▸ creates the Strengthening College and Career Readiness Program, a grant program
for local education agencies, to improve students' college and career readiness
through enhancing the skill level of school counselors to provide college and career
counseling; and
▸ directs the State Board of Education to:
• develop a certificate for school counselors that certifies that a school counselor
is highly skilled at providing college and career counseling;
• award grants to local education agencies, on a competitive basis, for payment of
course fees for courses required to earn the certificate;
• make rules; and
• report to the Education Interim Committee.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2016:
▸ to the State Board of Education - State Office of Education, as a one-time
appropriation:
• from the Education Fund, One-time, $400,000
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a special effective date.
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
53A-15-1501
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
53A-15-1501
 is enacted to read:
 53A-15-1501.
Initiative to strengthen college and career readiness.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "College and career counseling" means:
(i) nurturing college and career aspirations;
(ii) assisting students in planning an academic program that connects to college and
career goals;
(iii) providing early and ongoing exposure to information necessary to make informed
decisions when selecting a college and career;
(iv) promoting participation in college and career assessments;
(v) providing financial aid information; and
(vi) increasing understanding about college admission processes.
(b) "LEA" or "local education agency" means a school district or charter school.
(2) There is created the Strengthening College and Career Readiness Program, a grant
program for LEAs, to improve students' college and career readiness through enhancing the
skill level of school counselors to provide college and career counseling.
(3) The State Board of Education shall:
(a) on or before August 1, 2015, collaborate with the State Board of Regents, and
business, community, and education stakeholders to develop a certificate for school counselors
that:
(i) certifies that a school counselor is highly skilled at providing college and career
counseling; and
(ii) is aligned with the Utah Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Program as
defined in rules established by the State Board of Education;
(b) subject to legislative appropriations, award grants to LEAs, on a competitive basis,
for payment of course fees for courses required to earn the certificate developed by the State
Board of Education under Subsection (3)(a); and
(c) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
make rules specifying:
(i) procedures for applying for and awarding grants under this section;
(ii) criteria for awarding grants; and
(iii) reporting requirements for grantees.
(4) An LEA that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant for payment of
course fees for courses required to attain the certificate as determined by the State Board of
Education under Subsection (3)(a).
(5) The State Board of Education shall report to the Education Interim Committee on
the status of the Strengthening College and Career Readiness Program on or before:
(a) November 1, 2016; and
(b) November 1, 2017.
Section 2. 
Appropriation.
Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, for
the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 2016, the following sums of money
are appropriated from resources not otherwise appropriated, or reduced from amounts
previously appropriated, out of the funds or accounts indicated. These sums of money are in
addition to any amounts previously appropriated for fiscal year 2016.
To State Board of Education - State Office of Education - Initiative Programs
From Education Fund, One-time
$400,000
Schedule of Programs:
Contracts and Grants - Strengthening College and
 Career Readiness Pilot Program $400,000
The Legislature intends that:
(1) The State Office of Education expend appropriations under this section in fiscal
years 2016, 2017, and 2018; and
(2) Under 
63J-1-603
, appropriations provided under this section not lapse.
Section 3. 
Effective date.
(1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), this bill takes effect on May 12, 2015.
(2) Uncodified Section 2, Appropriation, takes effect on July 1, 2015.