Bill > H588

This bill aims to improve the number and quality of school psychologists in North Carolina through several key initiatives. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the bill provides school psychologists with a monthly salary supplement of $650, with an additional 12% supplement for those holding a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential. The bill establishes a School Psychologists Grant Program that will provide grants to public school units to recruit school psychologists, with priority given to units without a full-time school psychologist and a maximum signing bonus of $5,000 per psychologist. Additionally, the bill creates a school psychologists internship program that will provide stipends to full-time school psychology students during their internship period and offer salary supplements to field supervisors. The legislation also appropriates $5 million to Appalachian State University to host a virtual school psychology training program and allocates $1.6 million to various University of North Carolina institutions to support and potentially double their school psychology program output. Furthermore, the bill introduces an Interstate Licensure Compact for School Psychologists to facilitate easier licensure across participating states, particularly benefiting military members and their spouses. The comprehensive approach seeks to address school psychologist workforce shortages, improve professional development, and enhance mental health support in educational settings.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H588