HLS 12RS-2258 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 3 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2012 HOUSE BILL NO. 1127 BY REPRESENTATIVE BARROW SCHOOLS/EMPLOYEES: Provides relative to salary supplements for school psychologists AN ACT1 To amend and reenact R.S. 17:421.9(B), (C), (F), and (G), relative to salary supplements for2 school psychologists; to remove the condition that makes the local school board3 reimbursements for the amount of such supplements subject to the appropriation of4 funds; to remove requirements for certain documentation to be submitted by a5 specified date and for supplements to be provided on a phased-in basis; to provide6 relative to funds to be used for implementation of the salary supplements; and to7 provide for related matters.8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:9 Section 1. R.S. 17:421.9(B), (C), (F), and (G) are hereby amended and reenacted to10 read as follows: 11 ยง421.9. Supplements to salaries of school psychologists having certain credentials12 issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board13 * * *14 B.(1) Any school psychologist verified to have been awarded the certificate15 issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board by June thirtieth shall16 be paid the initial supplement beginning in the school year immediately following17 such date provided he submits appropriate documentation to his employing school18 board.19 HLS 12RS-2258 ORIGINAL HB NO. 1127 Page 2 of 3 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. (2) The school board shall submit the appropriate documentation as required1 by the Department of Education no later than a date to be determined no later than2 September 15, 2004, by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for3 verification of the documentation and in order to receive reimbursement as provided4 in Subsection C of this Section.5 C. Subject to the appropriation of funds for this purpose, the The amount of6 the salary supplement provided by a school board to a school psychologist pursuant7 to the provisions of this Section shall be reimbursed to the school board annually by8 the state Department of Education out of funds appropriated for such purpose.9 However, no such reimbursement shall exceed five thousand dollars per year per10 school psychologist.11 * * *12 F.(1) The supplements provided for in this Section shall be phased-in as13 follows:14 (a) Those who are entitled to a supplement under this Section in the 2003-15 2004 school year shall receive one thousand dollars.16 (b) Those who are entitled to a supplement under this Section in the 2004-17 2005 school year shall receive two thousand five hundred dollars.18 (c) Those who are entitled to a supplement under this Section in the 2005-19 2006 school year and thereafter shall receive the supplement otherwise provided for20 in this Section.21 (2) The provisions for phasing-in payments pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this22 Subsection shall not extend the period of eligibility to receive payments.23 (3) No school board shall be required to pay the supplement to any school24 psychologist as provided in Subsection A of this Section until funds are appropriated25 by the legislature specifically for this purpose. A school board may budget, receive,26 and expend federal funds that are or may be allocated to implement the provisions27 of this Section. Any such funds received shall be reimbursed according to the28 provisions of this Section.29 HLS 12RS-2258 ORIGINAL HB NO. 1127 Page 3 of 3 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. G. In addition to any other requirements of this Section, to receive the salary1 adjustment provided by this Section, an otherwise eligible person shall be awarded2 the initial credential issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board3 prior to July 1, 2013. This The purpose of this Section is to determine if the salary4 adjustment will attract and retain full-time school psychologists who hold a valid5 ancillary certificate approved and issued by the state Department of Education.6 DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] Barrow HB No. 1127 Abstract: Relative to salary supplements for school psychologists, deletes the condition that makes local school board reimbursements for the amount of such supplements subject to the appropriation of funds and deletes requirements for certain documentation to be submitted by a specified date. Provides relative to the use of federal funds. Present law requires school boards to pay an annual salary supplement not to exceed $5,000/year to a full-time school psychologist who holds both a valid Louisiana ancillary certificate and a National Certified School Psychologist credential issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board. Further provides that the school board shall be reimbursed by the state Dept. of Education if funds are appropriated for this purpose. Proposed law retains present law except deletes the requirement that makes reimbursement to local school boards subject to appropriation. Present law provides that to be eligible to receive the salary adjustment provided to nationally certified school psychologists, an otherwise eligible person must have been awarded the initial credential by the National School Psychology Certification Board prior to July 1, 2013. Provides for salary supplements to be provided on a phased-in basis through the 2004-2005 school year. Requires certain documentation to be submitted by local school boards by a specified date to the state Dept. of Education for verification and to receive reimbursement. Proposed law deletes present law. Present law provides that the salary supplement of any school psychologist shall continue for a period not to exceed the term of the national professional certificate, not to exceed three years. Further provides that such supplement shall continue in effect without interruption as long as the school counselor provides documentation of renewal by the national board. Proposed law retains present law. Proposed law authorizes school boards to budget, receive, and expend federal funds to provide the salary supplements and provides for reimbursement in accordance with present law. (Amends R.S. 17:421.9(B), (C), (F), and (G))