Professional School Counselors Pilot Program; establish in certain school districts with high incidences of teen pregnancy.

HB 371 establishes a four-year pilot program to place professional school counselors in three Mississippi school districts with high rates of teen pregnancy and school violence, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The program requires at least one counselor per school in participating districts, mandates annual evaluation of the program’s impact on reducing teen pregnancy and violence, and prohibits counselors from discussing abortion as a pregnancy prevention method. The state departments of education, health, and human services will select the districts based on specific criteria like pregnancy rates, violence statistics, and demographic factors. A final report assessing the program’s effectiveness and recommending permanent implementation must be submitted to legislative committees by January 1, 2030.