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NCCA Government Relations Information Alert: Update on S.B. 227 and S.B. 558

NCCA is sharing this information alert to keep members informed about two North Carolina bills with potential implications for counselors, counselor educators, school-based professionals, and students across the state. As of April 7, 2026, both Senate Bill 227, “Eliminating ‘DEI’ in Public Education,” and Senate Bill 558, “Eliminating ‘DEI’ in Public Higher Ed.,” remain pending in the House after Senate veto-override votes. The official NCGA bill pages list both bills’ most recent action as “Placed On Cal For 04/21/2026.”

For K–12 public education, S.B. 227 applies to public school units under Chapter 115C. Its bill page shows the Governor’s veto, the Senate’s override vote on July 29, 2025, and a continuing pattern of House calendar placements and withdrawals through April 6, 2026, indicating that the bill has not yet fully become law.

For public higher education, S.B. 558 applies to institutions governed under Chapters 115D and 116, which includes the North Carolina Community College System and UNC System institutions. Its official history likewise shows a veto, a Senate override on July 29, 2025, and House action placing it on the calendar for April 21, 2026, meaning it also remains pending rather than operative law at this time.

This means there is currently no new operative legal requirement from either bill for the 2026–2027 school year unless the House completes the override process. At the same time, both measures remain active and deserve careful attention because, if enacted, they could affect educational climate, professional training, student support structures, and how institutions frame inclusion-related work. That statement about implications is an inference based on the bills’ scope and target settings.

For NCCA, this is an important professional issue. Counselors work at the intersection of student development, educational access, belonging, ethics, and wellness. Legislative proposals that affect public education and higher education environments may also shape the conditions under which counselors support students, collaborate with educators, and advocate for safe, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive care. This connection to counseling practice is an inference grounded in the bills’ educational scope.

What NCCA members can do now:

  • Review the official bill pages and monitor House action.
  • Consider how these proposals could affect counseling practice, counselor preparation, student support, and institutional climate in your setting.
  • Share concrete, professionally grounded concerns with policymakers, institutional leaders, and partner organizations.
  • Document possible implications for student well-being, access, and counselor training.
  • Stay engaged with NCCA advocacy efforts as developments continue.

NCCA remains committed to informed, ethical, and constructive engagement on issues that affect counselors and the communities we serve. We encourage members to remain attentive, grounded, and prepared to respond in ways that reflect our profession’s commitment to dignity, access, and student well-being.

Praxis II Fee Waiver Request for School Counseling Students

Professional School Counseling Students can visit ETS Fee Waiver Information(opens in a new tab) to learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process to request a fee waiver. It is crucial that students read through all the information provided, as there are several requirements for eligibility.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Students must be receiving financial aid.
  • They should be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and able to provide a current Enrollment Verification Certificate (note that those with a master’s or doctoral degree are ineligible).
  • Students need to provide the 2025-2026 FAFSA Submission Summary showing an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $3,000 or less.
  • They must be required to take a Praxis test by an authorized score recipient.

How to Apply for a Fee Waiver:

  1. Complete the Fee Waiver Request Form (PDF) (see the attached flyer).
  2. Obtain a current Enrollment Verification Certificate (contact the UNCP registrar’s office). It must include a school seal, National Student Clearinghouse watermark, or the signature of the registrar.
  3. Obtain the 2025-2026 FAFSA Submission Summary.
  4. Submit your request by email: scan all documents, attach them to your email, and send to .

Students are eligible for a fee waiver only once during a testing year, and there are a limited number of waivers available per test date and institution. All requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis ETS-Fee-Waiver-Request

Association for Play Therapy (APT) E-Student Membership

Did you know that students are eligible for a  complimentary Association for Play Therapy (APT) E-Student membership?

Go to www.a4pt.org(opens in a new tab) to learn more about it.

As an E-Student member, you’ll enjoyed the following benefits:

Apply for the Karr Scholarship

The Karr Scholarship provides financial assistance up to $500 for Wake Forest Master of Arts in Counseling and Master of Arts in Human Service students interested in attending professional conferences or professional development programs.

Applications must be received by one of the following deadlines: February 1, June 1, or September 1. Applicants may apply for one scholarship per academic year.

To apply, please .

ACES Statement on the US Supreme Court Decision on Chiles v Salazar

The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and ACES Regional Division leadership teams are deeply concerned about the implications of the US Supreme Court ruling in Colorado this week with regard to client welfare and professional counseling practice.

Counselor educators and supervisors have long recognized that Professional Counseling is grounded in research, training, and evidence-based interventions to provide effective treatment.  Research by both medical and mental health professionals has indicated that Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts (SOGICE), including conversion therapy practices, present significant risk of harm to clients.  This is particularly harmful and damaging for youth.  This research has further informed the stance of unified position of medical and mental health organizations standing united in opposing these practices.

Though the US Supreme Court decision in Chiles v. Salazar held that Colorado’s law suppressed speech based on viewpoint, the ruling was narrow. The Court did not speak to the safety or efficacy of conversion therapy. Our ethical code and values as Counselors recognize that we must strive to do no harm and to protect clients using safe, ethical, and evidence-based interventions.

If you would like to review the Supreme Court’s decision, it can be found at this link.

ACES is working with our mental health coalition partners to draft a joint statement in reaction to the decision.  We also hope to offer resources for use by members.