S 8899 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to supervision by certain marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors

This bill amends New York's education law to clarify supervision requirements for marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. It specifies that applicants must complete 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience (for mental health counselors) or 1,500 client contact hours (for marriage and family therapists), all under qualified supervisors. Supervisors must hold at least 3 years of licensure, have diagnostic privileges, and complete 36 hours of continuing education in supervision ethics. The bill also allows the department to accept supervised experience obtained in waiver-exempt settings or under good-faith belief of proper authorization. These changes directly affect therapists seeking licensure and those providing supervision in mental health practice.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Assembly Passage
May 2026
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action May 20, 2026
Floor votes · Senate May 13, 2026 · Assembly May 20, 2026

How they voted

600
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 63
May 13, 2026
D Democratic41
40 Yea 1
97% Yea
R Republican22
20 Yea 2
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
2
Committee
2
May 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
May 13, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
May 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors