Louisiana House Bill HB618

Louisiana 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/8/13
• Refer: 4/8/13
• Report Pass: 4/25/13
• Engrossed: 5/7/13
• Refer: 5/8/13
• Refer: 5/30/13
• Report Pass: 6/1/13
• Enrolled: 6/4/13
• Chaptered: 6/18/13
• Passed: 6/18/13

Caption

Provides relative to salary supplements for public school educational diagnosticians (EN INCREASE FF EX See Note)

Impact

The implementation of HB 618 is intended to have a positive impact on state laws by recognizing the specialized skills of educational diagnosticians and supporting their professional development. This act will promote the employment of qualified educational diagnosticians in public schools, as it creates a financial incentive that aligns with the state’s educational goals. The bill reflects a commitment to improving educational outcomes through adequately supported educational professionals. Additionally, local school boards must budget for these salary supplements, which may affect their financial planning and resource allocation.

Summary

House Bill 618 aims to provide a salary supplement for public school educational diagnosticians who obtain certification from the National Certification of Educational Diagnosticians Board. This act establishes conditions under which eligible educational diagnosticians will receive an additional annual amount of five thousand dollars, contingent upon the availability of federal funds allocated for this purpose through the local school systems. This legislation seeks to enhance the financial recognition of educational diagnosticians and incentivize them to pursue nationally recognized credentials, thereby potentially elevating the quality of services provided to students in Louisiana's public schools.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 618 is largely positive, particularly among educational professionals and advocates for enhancing educational service standards. Supporters argue that financially recognizing the qualifications of educational diagnosticians will lead to improved student services. Since the bill was passed unanimously in the Senate, it indicates broad legislative support, reflecting the general consensus on the importance of maintaining high standards in education. However, discussions may also arise concerning the funding sources for these supplements, particularly in terms of the reliance on federal funds.

Contention

While HB 618 has gathered support, potential points of contention include the reliance on federal funding for the salary supplements and the implications this may have for local school funding structures. Some concerns may stem from dependency on external funding sources to ensure salary enhancements, which can be volatile and potentially unsustainable. Additionally, local school boards may face challenges in adjusting budgets and managing finances to accommodate these supplements, possibly impacting other areas of public education funding.