Part I.

Provides for salary supplements to school psychologists for the 2025-26 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 2025-26 for the compensation increase.

Part II.

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, 2026, 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 2025-26 from the General Fund to DPI for the grant program.

Part III.

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.

Part IV.

Appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors for 2025-26 to be allocated to Appalachian State University (ASU) to host a virtual school psychology training program at the ASU campus in Hickory, North Carolina.

Part V.

Appropriates $1.6 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors for the 2025-26 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.

Part VI.

Makes act effective July 1, 2025.