Bill > HB1623

This bill amends Mississippi's education code to add national board-certified occupational therapists and school psychologists to the list of education professionals who are eligible for an annual salary supplement of $6,000. To receive the full supplement, these professionals must be employed by a local school board or the State Board of Education and submit documentation of their national certification to the State Department of Education before October 15 of the current school year (or before February 15 for a prorated supplement). For occupational therapists, this means obtaining initial certification as an Occupational Therapist Registered from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, while school psychologists must acquire the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) certification from the National Association of School Psychologists. The bill also allows these professionals to be reimbursed up to $500 per component for the certification process, not exceeding $2,000 total, regardless of whether they ultimately receive the certification. Importantly, an employee can only receive the salary supplement for one qualifying national certification, and local school districts cannot reduce the existing local supplement for these employees. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, expanding compensation opportunities for specialized educational professionals.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1623.xml