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Bill Summary · HB 585

HB 585 — “School Psychologist Omnibus” — Summary

Status: Passed first reading (version text filed in North Carolina)
Effective date (per bill): July 1, 2023

Purpose
- To increase the number and quality of school psychologists in public K–12 schools by (1) raising compensation, (2) creating recruitment and retention incentives, (3) funding internship and training pipelines, and (4) supporting local school units’ hiring efforts.

Key provisions
- Compensation supplements (Part I)
- All school psychologists receive a $650 monthly salary supplement (in addition to teacher pay schedule) for FY 2023–24.
- School psychologists holding the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential receive an additional monthly supplement equal to 12% of their monthly salary.
- Appropriation: $8,100,000 recurring from the General Fund (FY 2023–24) to fund these increases.

  • School Psychologists Grant Program (Part II)

    • Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will establish a grant program to provide signing bonuses to recruit school psychologists.
    • Prioritizes school units that do not employ a full‑time school psychologist.
    • Individual signing bonus cap: $5,000. Recipients must commit to at least one year of employment.
    • Grants must supplement, not supplant, existing funds.
    • DPI must report annually (by April 1) on grants awarded and uses.
    • Appropriation: $1,700,000 recurring (FY 2023–24) to establish/operate the program.

  • Recruitment & retention coordinator (Part III)

    • DPI must permanently reclassify at least one full‑time position by September 1, 2023, to serve as a recruitment/retention coordinator, with duties including interstate recruitment.

  • Internship program (Part IV)

    • DPI to establish a school psychologists internship program for students in approved full‑time preparation programs.
    • Interns receive up to a 10‑month stipend equal to the entry salary of a school psychologist.
    • Field supervisors eligible for a one‑time supplement of $500–$1,200 (amount set by local unit).
    • Appropriation: $5,000,000 recurring (FY 2023–24) to fund stipends and program costs.

  • Virtual training program (Part V)

    • One-time (nonrecurring) $5,000,000 appropriation to the UNC Board of Governors for Appalachian State University to host a virtual school psychology training program (ASU campus in Hickory).

  • Expand training capacity at UNC institutions (Part VI)

    • $1,600,000 recurring (FY 2023–24) allocated among specified UNC campuses (Appalachian State, East Carolina, NC State, UNC–Chapel Hill, Western Carolina) aimed at doubling school psychologist production.

Who is affected
- Primary: current and prospective school psychologists and interns in North Carolina public schools.
- Local public school units: benefit from signing‑bonus grants, internships, and recruitment support.
- Department of Public Instruction: responsible for program administration and reporting.
- UNC constituent institutions and Appalachian State University: receive funds to expand/host training.
- Students and school communities: expected long‑term benefit via increased access to psychological services.

Fiscal impact (as specified in the bill text)
- Recurring General Fund appropriations identified in the bill: $8,100,000 + $1,700,000 + $5,000,000 + $1,600,000 = $16,400,000 recurring.
- Nonrecurring appropriation: $5,000,000 (virtual training at ASU).
- Total first‑year appropriations shown: $21,400,000 (including nonrecurring).

Implementation/timeline highlights
- Stated effective date: July 1, 2023.
- DPI recruitment coordinator reclassification required by September 1, 2023.
- Annual program reporting to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and Fiscal Research Division (each year grants are awarded), with first report due April 1, 2024.

Overall effect
- The bill creates a multi‑pronged approach (pay supplements, signing bonuses, internships, training expansion, and a recruitment coordinator) aimed at increasing recruitment, retention, and training capacity for school psychologists in North Carolina public schools.

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

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