SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1784

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 26, 2025

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1784.

      As amended and reported, this bill establishes certain requirements specific to school counselors and school counseling programs at institutions of higher education and establishes the position of State School Counselor Liaison in the Department of Education (DOE).

      Under the bill, the State Board of Education is to require school counseling programs at accredited colleges and universities that lead to a school counseling certificate to incorporate the following:  (a) the American School Counselor Association’s national model for school counseling programs or another State-approved model; and (b) training in the delivery of social and emotional learning programming as well as postsecondary and career planning.

      The bill outlines the role of a school counselor, which is defined as an individual who holds and works under the authority of a New Jersey standard educational services certificate with a school counselor endorsement.

      The bill directs the State board to establish professional development requirements for school counselors and, as part of the professional development requirements, require that each school counselor complete professional development training in areas related to the duties of a school counselor, including the promotion of mental health awareness; suicide prevention; crisis-intervention; trauma-informed counseling practices; cultural competency and responsiveness; the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports, which includes the systematic delivery of interventions and supports to students demonstrating academic, behavioral, mental health, emotional, and other needs; delivery of social and emotional learning programming; and college and career readiness.

      Finally, the bill directs the Commissioner of Education to appoint a State School Counselor Liaison to work with school districts, charter schools, renaissance school projects, and school counselors to facilitate best practices by advancing comprehensive school counseling services that address the mental and behavioral health and wellness of all students.  The person appointed to the position is required to hold a standard educational services certificate with a director of school counseling services endorsement and possess experience in the delivery of social and emotional learning programming as well as postsecondary and career advisement.  The State School Counselor Liaison is to collaborate with other State agencies and associated stakeholders and perform the following duties:

• serve as a liaison and resource expert in school counseling and comprehensive school counseling services;

• foster and promote professional development for school counselors;

• monitor, interpret, synthesize, and disseminate relevant information associated with changes in school counseling practices, legislation, and legal issues that impact school counselors; and

• initiate, participate in, and utilize research studies related to school counseling practices, the mental health needs of children and youth, and related issues.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 1784 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 3424 (1R), which was reported by the committee on this same date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  update the legislative findings and declaration section to remove reference to the Department of Education’s COVID-19 pandemic guidance;

      (2)  update the definition of school counselor;

      (3)  apply the provisions of the bill to school counselors employed by a charter school and renaissance school project in addition to those employed by a school district; and

      (4)  apply the provisions of the bill concerning school counseling programs to those at an accredited college or university rather than a regionally accredited college or university.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services finds that this bill would result in an indeterminate annual expenditure increase for the Department of Education associated with the establishment of the position of State School Counselor Liaison.

      If the department hires a new employee for the liaison position, annual compensation costs could be in the range of $75,000 to $100,000, plus benefits.