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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont requires school counselors to spend 80 percent of time on student services
Last action · January 8, 2026: Read first time and referred to the Committee on EducationSponsor: Kate McCann
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What This Bill Would Do
School counselors in Vermont must spend at least 80 percent of their working time providing direct or to students, capping non-counseling support tasks at 20 percent starting July 1, 2026.
The measure limits administrative duties like substitute teaching and test coordination for licensed school counselors and master's-level guidance professionals, shifting their schedules toward student support.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
school counselors
School counselors must alter their daily work schedules to ensure at least 80 percent of their time is dedicated to direct or indirect student services.
students
Students experience a guaranteed minimum proportion of counselor availability focused on academic, career, and social and emotional development.
Key Facts
- School counselors must spend at least 80 percent of their time on direct or indirect services to students.
- School counselors are prohibited from spending more than 20 percent of their time on school support services.
- Direct services include face-to-face or virtual interactions supporting academic, career, and social and emotional development.
- Indirect services are provided on behalf of students through interactions with others in accordance with the Vermont Comprehensive School Counselor Framework.
Show all 6 facts
- School support services are defined as activities outside the scope of the Vermont Comprehensive School Counselor Framework.
- The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a school counselor under this bill?
What tasks are limited by this measure?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 8, 2026HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the Committee on Education
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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