What's happening
This bill requires every public school in New York to employ at least one full-time certified guidance counselor beginning July 2026.
Why it matters
Addresses student well-being holistically. By mandating at least one certified guidance counselor per school, the bill aims to provide professional support for not just academic planning, but also for attendance, behavioral, and adjustment issues—areas that directly impact student success and well-being.
Targets early intervention and prevention. The duties include educating students about avoiding child sexual abuse and encouraging parental involvement, signaling a focus on prevention and early support for students facing personal or family challenges.
Ensures equity across all school types. The requirement applies to every public elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high, and senior high school, meaning younger students will get the same access to guidance resources as their older peers, potentially addressing disparities in student support services.
Separates general and special education resources. The bill stipulates that these positions must be in addition to those funded through special education, ensuring that general education students receive guidance services without reducing resources for students with special needs.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Require Counselors in All 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 Guidance Counselors in Schools
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Sarah Clark
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
447
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. GOUNARDES, COONEY, JACKSON, RAMOS, SALAZAR -- 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-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.
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 or general idea of bill
To require guidance counselors in all levels of schools
Summary of provisions
Section 1 adds a new section 803-c 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 states the effective date.
Justification
School children in New York face numerous challenges both in and out of the classroom everyday. For many children, it can be a struggle to reach their potential academically, socially, and emotionally. School guid- ance 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 unnecessarily 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.
Prior legislative history
2024: S273 - Referred to Education
2023: S273 - Referred to Education
2022: S831 - Referred to Education
2021: S831 - Referred to Education
2020: S5699 - Referred to Education
2019: S5699 - Referred to Education
2018: S8169 - 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.