What's happening
This bill requires every public school in New York to employ at least one full-time certified guidance counselor starting July 2026.
Why it matters
Broadens the role of school guidance counselors. beyond just academic scheduling—mandating active involvement in addressing attendance, behavioral, and adjustment issues, as well as providing education on sensitive topics like child sexual abuse prevention.
Separates funding streams. by requiring that every school have a dedicated guidance counselor not paid for by special education funds, ensuring that general student populations have access to counseling services without diverting resources meant for special education.
Emphasizes coordination with instructional staff and parental engagement. , aiming to create a more holistic support system that connects academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs with family involvement.
Could prompt increased state and local education funding or staffing adjustments. , potentially impacting school budgets, hiring practices, and how schools prioritize student support services statewide.
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Who cares
School district boards and trustees
Beginning July 1, 2026, they would have to employ at least one full-time certified or licensed guidance counselor in each school, excluding counselors funded or mandated through special education provisions.
School guidance counselors
The bill would require their employment in every district school and assign duties including educational planning, help with attendance and behavioral problems, child sexual abuse prevention education and parental involvement.
Students and parents
Students would receive counseling support for academic, attendance, behavioral or adjustment problems, while counselors would also encourage parental involvement.
Teachers and instructional staff
Counselors would coordinate with them to prepare students to participate effectively in current and future educational programs.
Headline styles
Require Guidance Counselors 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 Counselors in All Schools
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Andrew Gounardes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
706
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. CLARK, GALLAGHER, GONZALEZ-ROJAS, LUNSFORD, JENSEN, SANTABARBARA, GLICK, SIMONE, DE LOS SANTOS -- read once and referred 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-c to read as follows:
§ 803-c. 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-six 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.
LBD01376-01-5
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.