The bill establishes the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, designed to enhance the interstate practice of school psychology and improve access to psychological services in educational settings. It outlines the compact's objectives, including promoting mobility for school psychologists, creating a streamlined licensing process, and ensuring that only qualified professionals provide services. The bill also emphasizes compliance with state-specific laws while accommodating the relocation of military members and their spouses who are licensed school psychologists. Additionally, it details the requirements for states to join the compact, such as enacting compatible statutes and sharing information with other member states.
Furthermore, the bill creates the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists Commission, a joint government agency responsible for overseeing the compact's implementation and enforcement. The commission will have the authority to adopt rules, maintain financial records, and conduct meetings, ensuring transparency and accountability. It also includes provisions for the discipline of licensees, mandates information sharing regarding investigations, and protects commission members from liability under certain conditions. The bill clarifies that it does not alter existing laws governing licensee information and establishes procedures for member states to withdraw from the compact while maintaining recognition of licenses granted under it for a minimum of six months post-withdrawal. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.