What's happening
This bill requires every public elementary, middle, and high school in New York to have at least one full-time guidance counselor.
Why it matters
Directly addresses student well-being. By mandating at least one full-time certified or licensed guidance counselor in every public school, the bill aims to provide consistent emotional, academic, and social support—especially crucial for students facing attendance, behavioral, or adjustment challenges.
Expands counselor responsibilities. The legislation specifies that counselors should not only help with academic planning but also coordinate with instructional staff, educate about the prevention of child sexual abuse, and actively encourage parental involvement, broadening the traditional scope of the role.
Ensures dedicated funding and staffing. The requirement is separate from any positions supported by special education funds or mandates, meaning districts cannot count existing special education counselors toward this obligation, potentially increasing overall counselor staffing and resources in schools.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Guidance Counselors in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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 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
5699
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 13, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GOUNARDES -- 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 twenty 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.
LBD07364-01-9
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
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 and delineates some of their responsibilities.
Section 2 establishes that this act shall take effect immediately.
JUSTIFICATION::
Schoolchildren in New York face numerous challenges both in and out of the classroom everyday. Today's children face a challenging urban envi- ronment with dwindling guidance services that were routinely available years ago. Violence on the playground and the street can be a common- place reminder of abuse, both physical and emotional; that children 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.
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 that 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. This legislation would provide that.
Leg history
2018: S8169 Hamilton - referred to Education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
TBD
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.