HB 2227

Present law requires each local education agency ("LEA"") and public charter school in this state to annually provide students with age and grade appropriate instruction on firearm safety. This bill requires the LEA or public charter school to notify the parent or legal guardian of each student enrolled in the LEA or public charter school of such instruction, at least 30 days before any instruction is provided. Such a notification must inform the parent or legal guardian that the LEA or public charter s ch ool will provide instruction on firearm safety to students and explain that the parent or legal guardian may opt their student out of receiving the instruction. This bill authorizes the parent or legal guardian of a student, or the student if the student is at least 18, to opt the student out of receiving any instruction on firearm safety by providing written notice to the principal of the school at which the st udent is enrolled. Any such student who is opted out of receiving instruction on firearm safety is excused from receiving the instruction and must not be penalized for grading purposes by the LEA or public charter school. PREVENTATIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL COUNSELING Present law generally prohibits a person from knowingly rendering counseling services to a minor without first obtaining the consent of a parent of the minor. However, this prohibition does not apply to a school counselor or school psychologist who prov ides preventative and developmental counseling services to students in order to prepare them for their school responsibilities and their social and physical development. This bill clarifies that a school social worker may also provide such services and i s exempt from the parental consent requirement."