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Bill

HB 1623

National board certified occupational therapists and school psychologists; pay salary supplement to school employees.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Roberson

Mississippi bill providing salary supplements to nationally certified school occupational therapists and psychologists to improve recruitment and retention, died in committee in 2025.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1623

Legislative bill overview

HB 1623 would have provided salary supplements to school employees in Mississippi who hold national board certification as occupational therapists or school psychologists. The bill aimed to incentivize and retain these specialized educational professionals by offering additional compensation tied to their advanced credentials.

Why is this important

Occupational therapists and school psychologists are critical for supporting student wellbeing, mental health, and developmental needs, yet these positions often face recruitment and retention challenges due to competitive salaries in other sectors. Salary supplements can help school districts attract and keep qualified specialists, ultimately improving services for students with disabilities and mental health needs.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: The bill requires appropriations to fund supplements, which may compete with other education funding priorities during budget constraints
  • Equity across professions: Targeting only two specialist roles raises questions about why other certified educators (counselors, special education teachers, etc.) wouldn't receive similar incentives
  • Implementation complexity: Determining eligibility, supplement amounts, and funding mechanisms across Mississippi's diverse school districts could create administrative challenges

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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