This bill addresses the inclusion of licensed school psychologists under the regulations governing psychologists in Rhode Island and expands their licensing for independent practice. It introduces new definitions, including "licensed school psychologist" and "graduate program," and establishes a framework for temporary licenses, renewal processes, and associated fees.

The bill outlines specific qualifications for licensure, requiring an advanced graduate degree in school psychology, supervised experience, and successful completion of a relevant examination. It expands the scope of practice for licensed school psychologists to include educational evaluation, diagnosis of psychological disorders, and psychological counseling.

Additionally, the legislation establishes a grant program to support the implementation of school psychologist graduate preparation programs within state-funded institutions of higher education. It mandates the Department of Education to collect data on the employment of school psychologists and report this information annually to the General Assembly and the Governor.

Overall, the bill aims to enhance the quality and availability of psychological services in Rhode Island's educational system by improving the regulatory framework for school psychologists and addressing the critical shortage of these professionals in schools. The act would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7335: 23-1-54