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SB 2149

School social workers and psychologists; authorize districts to employ and receive partial state reimbursement for salaries of.

2025 Regular Session

Mississippi bill authorizes school districts to hire social workers and psychologists with partial state salary reimbursement to expand student mental health services.

Died In Committee
#appropriations #education
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Bill Summary · SB 2149

Legislative bill overview

SB 2149 would have authorized Mississippi school districts to employ school social workers and psychologists while providing partial state reimbursement for their salaries. The bill aimed to incentivize districts to hire these mental health professionals by offsetting some personnel costs through state funding rather than requiring districts to bear the full expense.

Why is this important

School social workers and psychologists address critical student mental health, behavioral, and social-emotional needs—areas linked to academic performance, attendance, and school safety. By offering state reimbursement, the bill attempted to make these positions financially feasible for under-resourced districts that might otherwise lack mental health support infrastructure. This reflects growing recognition that student wellbeing directly impacts educational outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • State budget constraints: Mississippi faces budget pressures; reimbursement programs require dedicated funding allocation that could compete with other education priorities
  • Implementation details: The bill's silence on specific reimbursement percentages, eligibility criteria, or hiring standards left critical questions unanswered about cost-sharing and program consistency
  • Rural vs. urban disparities: Partial reimbursement may not adequately address workforce shortages in rural areas, potentially widening mental health service gaps across the state

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

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