Bill > S03278

This bill provides for the licensure of school psychology practitioners in New York, creating a new professional category with specific requirements and defined practice boundaries. The bill establishes that only licensed or exempt individuals can practice as a licensed school psychology practitioner, with detailed educational, experiential, and professional standards. To qualify for licensure, practitioners must complete at least 60 graduate semester hours in psychology, including a master's or doctoral degree, undergo a 1,200-hour supervised internship, and complete 2,400 hours of post-master's supervised experience. The bill outlines the practice of school psychology practitioners as including psycho-educational assessments, developing educational interventions, consulting with schools and families, and creating programming to support learning environments for individuals aged birth to 22. Importantly, the bill sets clear boundaries on professional competency, prohibiting practitioners from prescribing drugs, performing invasive procedures, or providing private practice services to students in schools where they are currently employed. The legislation also includes provisions for existing school psychology professionals to transition to the new licensing framework, with some temporary exemptions and alternative pathways to obtaining a license. The bill aims to address children's growing mental health needs by expanding the professional capabilities of school psychology practitioners while maintaining rigorous professional standards.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3278