HB 749 Summary

• Appropriates $14,000,664 for fiscal year 2021-2022 to increase school psychologist compensation by $10,000 annually plus a 12% monthly salary supplement for those with National Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) certification.

• Establishes a School Psychologists Recruitment and Retention Program administered by the Department of Public Instruction, allocating $650,000 (including up to $100,000 for a new coordinator position) to provide signing and retention bonuses up to $10,000 per school psychologist.

• Program bonuses require 3-5 year employment agreements with prorated repayment provisions if psychologists leave early, except for terminations due to death, reduction in force, or disability.

• Appropriates $4,526,550 to provide monthly stipends to up to 100 school psychology interns enrolled in National Association of School Psychologists-accredited graduate programs completing at least 1,200 hours of field experience.

• All provisions become effective July 1, 2021, with quarterly reporting to legislative leadership on program fund allocation and usage.