Bill
S 1784
Establishes standardized, comprehensive school counseling nationwide through defined duties, ongoing PD, accredited preparation programs, and a State School Counselor Liaison in DO
Status (key steps)
- Introduced (pre-filed): 2024 session; reported favorably by Senate Education Committee (9/30/2024).
- Amended and reported by Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee (6/26/2025).
- Passed Senate (4/8/2025) and delivered to the Assembly.
- Fiscal estimate issued (6/26/2025).
- Effective date: the act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Purpose
- Strengthen and standardize school counseling practice across New Jersey by (1) defining counselor roles and duties, (2) requiring professional development, (3) setting preparation-program standards at colleges/universities, and (4) establishing a State School Counselor Liaison in the Department of Education (DOE).
Key provisions
- Definition: “School counselor” = individual holding a New Jersey standard educational services certificate with a school counselor endorsement.
- Role and duties (schools): School counselors shall recognize/respond to student mental-health needs and design/deliver comprehensive counseling programs. Required services include academic/career/social-emotional development supports, individual academic planning, classroom counseling lessons tied to standards, short‑term counseling, referrals for long‑term supports, family/teacher/community collaboration, IEP advocacy, and data analysis.
- Professional development: The State Board of Education must establish PD requirements. Each counselor must complete training in areas including mental health awareness, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, trauma‑informed practices, cultural competency/responsiveness, the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports, social and emotional learning (SEL) delivery, and college/career readiness.
- Preparation programs (higher education): The State Board must require accredited college/university school‑counseling programs that lead to certification to incorporate (a) the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) national model or another State‑approved model, and (b) training in SEL delivery and postsecondary/career planning.
- State School Counselor Liaison: The Commissioner shall appoint a liaison who holds a director-of-school-counseling-services endorsement and SEL/postsecondary advisement experience. Duties: act as DOE resource and liaison, promote and coordinate PD, synthesize and disseminate policy/legal/practice updates, and initiate/participate in relevant research. The liaison must report annually to the Governor and Legislature.
Who is affected
- Public school counselors (including those employed by school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects), school districts/charter operators, accredited higher‑education counselor preparation programs, and the Department of Education.
Fiscal/timeline impacts
- Office of Legislative Services: indeterminate annual State cost increase associated with creating the Liaison position. If hired anew, estimated salary $75,000–$100,000 (total personnel cost with benefits roughly $128,588–$171,450). Possible marginal costs for developing PD and for higher‑ed program adjustments; likely modest workload increases for districts and institutions.
Notable amendments
- Removed COVID-19 guidance reference from findings; broadened applicability to charter and renaissance schools; changed preparation-program requirement from “regionally accredited” to “accredited.”
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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