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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget2025-03-11

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill increases pay for school psychologists, creates grant and internship programs to recruit and train more of them, funds university training programs, and establishes an interstate compact allowing school psychologists licensed in one state to practice in other member states more easily.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill addresses a critical shortage of school psychologists in North Carolina by making the profession more attractive through higher pay and creating pathways to increase the supply of trained professionals.
• •The interstate compact allows qualified psychologists to move between states without repeating licensing requirements, potentially bringing more professionals into NC schools to support student mental health and safety.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may be concerned about the significant state spending ($28.1 million total for 2025-2026) at a time of competing budget priorities, question whether pay increases alone will solve workforce shortages, or worry that the interstate compact could reduce state control over licensing standards and disciplinary oversight of professionals working with children.