This bill emphasizes the critical role of school counselors in New Jersey's educational system, recognizing their importance in addressing student needs and implementing effective programming. It defines a "school counselor" as an individual holding a New Jersey standard educational services certificate with a school counselor endorsement. The bill outlines the responsibilities of school counselors, which include promoting mental health services, delivering comprehensive counseling programs, and collaborating with various stakeholders to support students' academic, career, social, and emotional development.

Additionally, the bill mandates the establishment of professional development requirements for school counselors, focusing on areas such as mental health awareness, crisis intervention, and cultural competency. It also requires that school counseling programs at accredited institutions incorporate the American School Counselor Association's national model and training in social and emotional learning. Furthermore, the bill creates the position of a State School Counselor Liaison, who will facilitate best practices in school counseling and report annually to the Governor and Legislature on the state of school counseling services in New Jersey.