What's happening
This bill requires every public school in New York to employ at least one full-time, certified or licensed guidance counselor.
Why it matters
Mandates a comprehensive support system for all students. by ensuring every school has at least one certified or licensed guidance counselor, regardless of current funding streams for special education, which can lead to more equitable access to counseling services for general education students.
Specifies key responsibilities for guidance counselors. , such as addressing attendance, academic, behavioral, and adjustment problems, as well as coordinating with instructional staff and educating students on important issues like child sexual abuse prevention—potentially leading to improved student well-being and school climate.
Encourages stronger parental involvement. by making it a stated duty of school guidance counselors, which research suggests is linked to better student outcomes and community engagement.
May require increased investment in school staffing and training. , forcing districts—especially those currently lacking full-time counselors—to allocate additional resources, with possible implications for school budgets and hiring practices.
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Require Guidance Counselors in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- 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 Counselors in All Schools
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8169
IN SENATE
April 13, 2018
Introduced by Sen. HAMILTON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring a guidance counselor 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. Full-time school guidance counselors 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 eighteen employ at least one certified or licensed school guidance counselor in each of the schools under their jurisdiction exclusive of any school guidance counselors funded or mandated through any special education funding, aid, regulation or statute. Such school guidance counselor shall perform such duties including, but not limited to: coordinating with the instructional staff to prepare students to participate effectively in their current and future educational programs, helping students who exhibit any attendance, academic, behavioral or adjustment problems, educating students concerning avoidance of child sexual abuse, and encouraging parental involvement.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07768-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring a guidance counselor in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school
Purpose & summary of provisions
This bill adds a new section 803-b to the Education Law to require at least one full-time certified or licensed school guidance counselor in any elementary, intermediate, middle or junior high school exclusive of any school guidance counselors funded or mandated through special educa- tion funding, aid, regulation, or statute.
This bill is amended by changing the date on line 6 in section 803-b to read as follows: The board of education or trustees of every school district in the state shall on and after July first, two thousand thir- teen employ at least one certified or licensed school guidance counselor in each of the schools under their jurisdiction exclusive of any school guidance counselors funded or mandated through any special education funding, aid, regulation or statute.
Justification
New York State school children face numerous challenges both in and out of the classroom every day. Today's children face daily temptations of drugs and challenges posed by our complex urban environment that were not as wide spread years ago, when ironically, guidance services were routinely offered. Violence on the playground and the street can be a commonplace reminder of abuse, both physical and emotional; that chil- dren might be subject to at home. For many children it can be a struggle to reach their potential academically, socially and emotionally. School guidance counselors are prepared to assist students to address and combat these challenges in a successful and positive way. In many cases, guidance counselors can intervene early and help the student get the support services needed to prevent any further hindrance to their success. It is a sad reality that many children do not receive the early intervention needed to prevent long-term problems and are often unneces- sarily and inappropriately referred to special education. With the aid of a school guidance counselor, many long-term problems can be averted. Consequently, there will be fewer referrals to special education of children who are not disabled but instead manifest certain behavioral problems that the guidance counselor, along with the teacher, can help resolve. This in turn, will certainly save the State and districts enor- mously as unnecessary referrals to special education are prevented. There are some school districts in New York State that fund not even one school guidance counselor in the entire district, with the exception of guidance counselors mandated for special education. In order for schools to have an effective guidance program t hat meets the needs of their large, diverse student populations, each school must be adequately staffed by at least one certified or licensed school guidance counselor.
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Legislative history
1997/98: A7987C Referred to Education 1999/00: A126A Referred to Education 2001/02: A1962 Held in Ways and Means 2003/04: A3421A Held in Ways and Means 2005/06: A4647 Held in Education 2007/08: A4153 Referred to Education 2009/10: A4183 Referred to Education 2011/12: A888 Held in Education 2013/14: A2981 Referred to Education 2015/16: A5131 Referred to Education
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.