ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 3424
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: MARCH 10, 2025
The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly
Bill No. 3424.
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 is to 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 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: 2
• 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.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
This bill was introduced in the 2022-2023 legislative session as
Assembly Bill No. 1516. The Assembly Education Committee
reported the bill on September 22, 2022. The Assembly Community
Development and Affairs Committee reported the bill with committee
amendments on June 5, 2023 and it was referred to the Assembly
Appropriations Committee where no further action was taken.