SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST OMNIBUS.

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View NCGA Bill Details2023-2024 Session
House Bill 585 (Public) Filed Thursday, April 6, 2023
AN ACT TO ENACT PROVISIONS RELATED TO IMPROVING THE NUMBER AND QUALITY OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS IN NORTH CAROLINA.
Intro. by K. Baker, Willis, D. Hall, Cotham.

Status: Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (Apr 10 2023)
H 585

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 6 2023 - View Summary

    Identical to S 448, filed 3/30/23.

    Provides for salary supplements to school psychologists for the 2023-24 fiscal year to be provided in addition to any salary received under the teacher salary schedule, as follows: (1) $650 per month and (2) for school psychologists who have a National Certified School Psychologist Credential, 12% of their monthly salary. Appropriates $8.1 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for the compensation increase.

    Enacts GS 115C-316.6, the school psychologists grant program, to provide funds to public school units for signing bonuses to recruit school psychologists subject to the following conditions: (1) DPI must prioritize the award of funds to public school units without a full-time psychologist at the time the application is submitted; (2) no individual bonus can be greater than $5,000; (3) the school psychologist must agree to remain employed in the public school unit for at least one year; and (4) grants must be used to supplement, not supplant, State or non-State funds already used for these services. Sets forth application requirements and instructs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop criteria and guidelines for the administration of the grants. By no later than April 1, 2024, and annually thereafter in years where funds are awarded, requires the superintendent of DPI to report to the specified NCGA committee and division on the grant program. Appropriates $1.7 million in recurring funds for 2023-24 from the General Fund to DPI for the grant program.

    Requires DPI to reclassify at least one position within the department to serve as a full-time recruitment and retention coordinator to increase the number of school psychologists in public schools that have a demonstrated need that is difficult to fill by no later than September 1, 2023.

    Enacts GS 115C-316.7 requiring DPI to establish an internship program for school psychologists in public school units. Sets forth stipend and field supervisor compensation. Appropriates $5 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to DPI for the internship program.

    Appropriates $5 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to be allocated to Appalachian State University (ASU) to host a virtual school psychology training program at the ASU campus in Hickory, North Carolina.

    Appropriates $1.6 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors for the 2023-24 fiscal year to be allocated to five specified constituent institutions to support the school psychology programs at those institutions with the goal of doubling the number of school psychologists produced.

    Effective July 1, 2023.