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Bill

SB 603

School boards; policies relating to volunteer student life counseling and support services.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bryce Reeves

Virginia school boards must adopt policies establishing qualifications, training, supervision, and operational standards for volunteer student counselors and support services.

Assigned Education sub: Public Education
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Bill Summary · SB 603

Legislative bill overview

SB 603 would require Virginia school boards to establish policies governing volunteer student life counseling and support services. The bill mandates that these policies outline qualifications, training requirements, supervision standards, and operational procedures for volunteers providing counseling or support services to students outside of traditional classroom instruction.

Why is this important

Student mental health and support services have become increasingly critical as schools address rising anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges among youth. This bill attempts to balance expanding support capacity through volunteers while establishing safeguards to protect student welfare and ensure service quality. The policies would directly affect how schools can supplement their counseling staff with community volunteers.

Potential points of contention

  • Volunteer qualifications debate: Disagreement over whether counseling volunteers should require specific credentials (psychology background, certification courses) or if general training suffices, affecting both access to services and quality standards
  • Liability and supervision concerns: Questions about school district liability if volunteers provide inadequate support or cause harm, and the resource burden of proper oversight and vetting
  • Scope creeping into clinical territory: Potential conflict between allowing peer support/mentoring versus restricting services to avoid volunteers providing therapy-like interventions they're unqualified to deliver

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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