1. Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, the board of education of a school district or a charter school that is a local educational agency may establish an academic and career counseling program in cooperation with parents and the local community that is in the best interest of and meets the needs of students in the community. School districts and local educational agencies may use the Missouri comprehensive school counseling program as a resource for the development of a district’s or local educational agency’s program. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop a process for recognition of a school district’s academic and career counseling program established in cooperation with parents and the local community no later than January 1, 2019.

2. The state board of education shall promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable, and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2018, shall be invalid and void.