What's happening
This bill requires every New York school to employ at least one licensed social worker, not including those funded through special education.
Why it matters
Increases student access to mental health support. By mandating at least one licensed social worker per school, the bill aims to ensure all students have access to professional help for emotional, social, and behavioral challenges.
Addresses unmet needs outside special education. The requirement is explicit that social workers employed under this law are in addition to those already required or funded for special education, broadening support to the general student population.
Promotes equity across school districts. Every public school, regardless of location or size, must comply, which could help reduce disparities in social and emotional resources available to students statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Social Workers in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Social Worker in Schools
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Jesse Hamilton
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3213
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ, BARRON, LAVINE, SKOUFIS, CROUCH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring a licensed social worker in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 803-b to read as follows:
§ 803-b. Social workers licensed under article one hundred fifty-four of this chapter required in elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high schools. The board of education or trustees of every school district in the state shall on and after July first, two thousand seventeen employ at least one licensed social worker in each of the schools under their jurisdiction exclusive of any social workers funded or mandated through any special education funding, aid, regulation or statute. Such licensed social worker shall perform such duties within their lawful scope of practice.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00682-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.