HB 625: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part III, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Nationally certified school psychologist; incentive program.  (a)  There is established within the department a nationally certified school psychologist incentive program to recognize and support exemplary educational practice by offering incentive payments to school psychologists who earn the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential from the National Association of School Psychologists.  The nationally certified school psychologist incentive program shall provide:

     (1)  A $           bonus per year to each nationally certified school psychologist who maintains a current national certification;

     (2)  Up to $          , depending on the certification fee structure, upon completing all components of the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential;

     (3)  A reimbursement of the remainder of the national certification application fee upon achievement of the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential; and

     (4)  An additional $           bonus per year to each school psychologist employed by the department who maintains a current Nationally Certified School Psychologist certificate and provides school psychology services to children in a hard-to-fill area as defined by the department.

     (b)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out the purposes of this section."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to offer incentive pay for the nationally certified school psychologist incentive program established pursuant to section 1 of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Department of Education; School Psychologists; Nationally Certified School Psychologist Incentive Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a nationally certified school psychologist incentive program.  Appropriates funds for the incentive program.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part III, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Nationally certified school psychologist; incentive program.  (a)  There is established within the department a nationally certified school psychologist incentive program to recognize and support exemplary educational practice by offering incentive payments to school psychologists who earn the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential from the National Association of School Psychologists.  The nationally certified school psychologist incentive program shall provide:

     (1)  A $5,000 bonus per year to each nationally certified school psychologist who maintains a current national certification;

     (2)  Up to $500, depending on the certification fee structure, upon completing all components of the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential;

     (3)  A reimbursement of the remainder of the national certification application fee upon achievement of the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential; and

     (4)  An additional $5,000 bonus per year to each school psychologist employed by the department who maintains a current Nationally Certified School Psychologist certificate and provides school psychology services to children in a hard-to-fill area as defined by the department.

     (b)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out the purposes of this section."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to offer incentive pay for the nationally certified school psychologist incentive program established pursuant to section 1 of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Department of Education; School Psychologists; Nationally Certified School Psychologist Incentive Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a nationally certified school psychologist incentive program.  Appropriates funds for the incentive program.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  175

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 625

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 625 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Nationally Certified School Psychologist Incentive Program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; Hawaiʻi Association of School Psychologists; and four individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committee finds that school psychologists are integral to meeting students' mental, emotional, and social needs, as well as helping students succeed in the school environment.  The National Association of School Psychologists recommends a ratio of one school psychologist to every five hundred students; however, many school psychologists in the State have more than fifteen hundred students.

     Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a Nationally Certified School Psychologist Incentive Program will assist the State in addressing the critical shortage of accredited school psychologists in public schools and provide students with access to professionals who engage in high quality, evidence-based practices.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the amounts awarded to unspecified amounts; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider establishing an award amount of:

     (1)  $5,000 per year to each nationally certified school psychologist who maintains a current national certification;

     (2)  Up to $500, depending on the certification fee structure, upon completing all components of the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential; and

     (3)  An additional $5,000 bonus per year to each school psychologist employed by the Department of Education who maintains a current Nationally Certified School Psychologist certificate and provides school psychology services to children in a hard-to-fill area as defined by the Department.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 625, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 625, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,