New York A 5243: Establishes the high school peer mentoring pilot program

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A05243 Summary:

BILL NOA05243 

&nbsp

SAME ASNo Same As

&nbsp

SPONSORBrown K

&nbsp

COSPNSRMcDonough, Lemondes

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add §115, Ed L

&nbsp

Establishes the high school peer mentoring pilot program.

Go to top A05243 Actions:

BILL NOA05243 

&nbsp

02/12/2025referred to education

01/07/2026referred to education

Go to topA05243 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA05243 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA05243 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 5243

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 February 12, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. K. BROWN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
 tee on Education

 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the high
 school peer mentoring pilot program; and providing for the repeal of
 such provisions upon expiration thereof

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 115 to
 2 read as follows:
 3 § 115. The high school peer mentoring pilot program. The department is
 4 authorized and directed to establish a high school peer mentoring pilot
 5 program. Such pilot program shall be implemented in all public high
 6 schools within the state and shall include, but not be limited to:
 7 1. prior to the two thousand twenty-six--two thousand twenty-seven
 8 school year:
 9 (a) a review of a high school's existing mentoring program model;
 10 (b) the collection of resources and the solicitation of recommenda-
 11 tions to strengthen a peer mentoring model and ensure the best outcomes
 12 for both the mentors and mentees utilizing evidence-based research;
 13 (c) the collection of resources and the solicitation of recommenda-
 14 tions around elements of effective practice in mentoring, including, but
 15 not limited to, recruitment, screening, training, matching and initiat-
 16 ing, monitoring and support, and closure;
 17 (d) a review of best and emerging practices to recruit and onboard
 18 mentors, mentees and stakeholders throughout the community;
 19 (e) the development of an articulated recruitment and support outreach
 20 plan;
 21 (f) the implementation of a mentor screening tool;
 22 (g) the creation of communication tools and marketing collateral to
 23 support recruitment and communication efforts, including, but not limit-
 24 ed to:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD03070-02-5

 A. 5243 2

 1 (i) position description;
 2 (ii) promotional materials;
 3 (iii) letter to families; and
 4 (iv) information for faculty;
 5 (h) the design and facilitation of onboarding training for mentors,
 6 mentees, and all coordinators and liaisons; and
 7 (i) a determination and implementation of the best pre- and post-ap-
 8 proach in evaluating the efficacy and impact of the program on mentors
 9 and mentees;
 10 2. during the two thousand twenty-six--two thousand twenty-seven
 11 school year:
 12 (a) the implementation of a peer mentoring program;
 13 (b) a two-hour virtual training for all school staff to infuse
 14 mentor-like characteristics and employ tactics to impact students posi-
 15 tively;
 16 (c) the creation of a team of trainers that can help quickly onboard
 17 future mentors as needed;
 18 (d) a recorded training for mentors and volunteers to access at their
 19 convenience;
 20 (e) the use of the search institutes developmental relationships
 21 framework to reinforce existing strengths in the school's relationship-
 22 centered culture, and encourage reflection in potential growth areas;
 23 (f) the providing of continuous support and training including, but
 24 not limited to:
 25 (i) enrichment training in specific content areas including, but not
 26 limited to:
 27 (A) improving listening skills;
 28 (B) identifying youth sparks;
 29 (C) discovering our boundaries;
 30 (D) personal assumptions and biases;
 31 (E) helping youth work through challenges; and
 32 (F) addressing challenging behaviors;
 33 (ii) peer sharing roundtables; and
 34 (iii) additional resources for crucial practices to enhance and
 35 strengthen mentoring relationships;