ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
[First Reprint]
ASSEMBLY, No. 1516
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: JUNE 5, 2023
The Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee
reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1516 (1R).
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 this bill, the State Board of Education will require school
counseling programs at regionally 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 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, but not limited
to, 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, delivery of social and emotional learning programming,
and college and career readiness.
Finally, this bill directs the Commissioner of Education to
appoint a State School Counselor Liaison to work with school
districts 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 2
social and emotional learning programming as well as
postsecondary and career advisement. The State School Counselor
Liaison will 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.