Bill S.265, introduced by Senators Gulick and Lyons, aims to enhance the role of school counselors in Vermont by mandating that they dedicate at least 80 percent of their time to providing direct or indirect services to students. The bill highlights findings from the American School Counselors Association (ASCA) that recommend this allocation of time to ensure effective support for students' academic, career, and social-emotional development. It also addresses concerns raised in the 2020 ASCA State of the Profession study, which indicated that many school counselors face challenges due to being assigned inappropriate duties that detract from their primary responsibilities.

The proposed legislation includes new definitions and requirements for school counselors, specifying that direct services involve face-to-face or virtual interactions with students, while indirect services encompass actions taken on behalf of students based on those interactions. Additionally, the bill defines school support services as activities outside the scope of direct or indirect services. Under this bill, school counselors are required to implement a comprehensive counseling program that adheres to these guidelines, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2026.