Mississippi House Bill HB79

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/22
• Refer: 1/4/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

School social workers and psychologists; authorize districts to employ and receive partial state reimbursement for salaries of.

Impact

A significant provision of HB79 is that it stipulates reimbursement for school districts employing these professionals. Specifically, districts that hire at least one social worker or psychologist for every thousand students will be eligible for a 50% reimbursement on the salary costs of these employees from the State Department of Education. This kind of financial support could play a crucial role in expanding mental health services in schools, potentially leading to improved academic and social outcomes for students.

Summary

House Bill 79 seeks to empower local school boards in Mississippi by allowing them to employ licensed social workers and psychologists to offer essential services to students in public schools. This bill addresses the growing need for mental health support within educational institutions, especially given increasing concerns about student wellbeing. It emphasizes that the staffing of these professionals should be determined by the school district's superintendent, thus enabling personalized decisions based on the specific needs of each district's student population.

Contention

While the bill has been introduced with the intent of enhancing student support systems, there may be points of contention regarding funding and the sufficiency of the reimbursement model. Critics may argue that the reimbursement of only half of the salaries may not fully cover the costs incurred by districts, potentially leading to uneven implementations across different areas. Additionally, there might be debates around how these positions are prioritized among other educational funding needs, especially in districts that are already facing financial constraints.