North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 13 R · 8 D cosponsors

SB 259 — School Psychologist Omnibus.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 10, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 21 sponsors

    0 primary, 21 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (13 R · 8 D) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

53 added · 54 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Senate Bill 259 include adding funding for a virtual psychology training program at Appalachian State University in Hickory, North Carolina, which aims to improve student safety, mental health, and overall well-being in schools without a full-time psychologist. Additionally, the amendments clarify licensing requirements for school psychologists, ensuring that applicants must meet specific educational and exam criteria. These updates are important because they provide essential support for mental health services in schools and set clear standards for the professionals who will provide those services.

→
Previous
Latest
FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Mar 10, 2025 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 259 Short Title:
259 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS45134-MTa-28 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ENACT PROVISIONS RELATED TO IMPROVING THE NUMBER AND QUALITY OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS IN NORTH CAROLINA.
Rules and Operations of the Senate March 11, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ENACT PROVISIONS RELATED TO IMPROVING THE NUMBER AND QUALITY OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS IN NORTH CAROLINA.
(a) The Department of Public Instruction shall establish the School Psychologists Grant Program (Program) to improve the safety, mental health, and well-being of students by providing grants to public school units to recruit school psychologists, to the extent funds are made available for this purpose, as follows:
(a) The Department of Public Instruction shall establish the School Psychologists Grant Program (Program) to improve the safety, mental health, and well-beingof students byproviding grants to public school units to recruit school psychologists, to the extent funds are made available for this purpose, as follows:
*DRS45134-MTa-28* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) Award of funds.
*S259-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) Award of funds.
The Department shall prioritize the award of funds to public school units that do not employ a full-time school psychologist at the time the application is submitted.
The Department shall prioritize the award of funds to public school units that do not employa full-time school psychologist at the time the application is submitted.
(b) Field supervisors in public school units providing instruction to school psychology interns receiving stipends in accordance with this section shall be eligible to receive one lump sum salary supplement of between five hundred dollars ($500.00) and one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200) in an amount to be determined by the public school unit." SECTION 3.(b) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2025-2026 fiscal year the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in recurring funds to establish and implement the school psychologists internship program pursuant to G.S.
(b) Field supervisors in public school units providing instruction to school psychology interns receiving stipends in accordance with this section shall be eligible to receive one lump sum salarysupplement of between five hundred dollars ($500.00) and one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200) in an amount to be determined by the public school unit." SECTION 3.(b) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2025-2026 fiscal year the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in recurring funds to establish and implement the school psychologists internship program pursuant to G.S.
PART IV.FUNDS FORAVIRTUAL SCHOOLPSYCHOLOGYTRAINING PROGRAM SECTION4.
PART IV.FUNDS FOR A VIRTUAL SCHOOLPSYCHOLOGYTRAININGPROGRAM SECTION4.
ThereisappropriatedfromtheGeneralFundtotheBoardofGovernors of The University of North Carolina for the 2025-2026 fiscal year the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in nonrecurring funds to be allocated to Appalachian State University (ASU) to hostavirtualschoolpsychologytrainingprogramattheASUcampusinHickory,NorthCarolina.
ThereisappropriatedfromtheGeneralFundtotheBoardofGovernors of The University of North Carolina for the 2025-2026 fiscal year the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in nonrecurring funds to be allocated to Appalachian State University (ASU) to hostavirtualschoolpsychologytrainingprogram attheASUcampusinHickory,NorthCarolina.
Page 2 DRS45134-MTa-28 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 PART V.
Page 2 Senate Bill 259-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 PART V.
DRS45134-MTa-28 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 The following definitions shall apply in this Article:
Senate Bill 259-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 The following definitions shall apply in this Article:
(1) ActiveMilitaryMember.–Anypersonwithfull-timedutystatusinthe Armed Forces of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.
(1) ActiveMilitaryMember.
–Anypersonwithfull-timedutystatusinthe Armed Forces of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.
– A nondisciplinary, prosecutorial diversion, monitoring, or practice remediation process entered into in lieu of an Adverse Action which is applicable to a School Psychologist and approved by the State Licensing Authority of a Member State in which the participating School Psychologist is licensed.
– A nondisciplinary, prosecutorial diversion, monitoring, or practice remediation process entered into in lieu of an Adverse Action which is applicable to a School Psychologist and approved bythe State Licensing Authority of a Member State in which the participating School Psychologist is licensed.
– The submission of fingerprints or other biometric information for a License applicant for the purpose of obtaining that applicant's criminal history record information, as defined in 28 C.F.R.
– The submission of fingerprints or other biometric information for a License applicant for the purpose of obtainingthat applicant's criminal history record information, as defined in 28 C.F.R.
– ALicensethat aStateLicensing Authorityhas limited in any way other than through an Alternative Program, including temporary or provisional licenses.
– A Licensethat aState LicensingAuthorityhas limited in any way other than through an Alternative Program, including temporary or provisional licenses.
Page 4 DRS45134-MTa-28 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (17) Model Compact.
Page 4 Senate Bill 259-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (17) Model Compact.
– A regulation promulgated by an entity, including, but not limited to, the Commission and the State Licensing Authority of each Member State, that has the force of law.
– A regulation promulgated by an entity, including, but not limited to, the Commission and the State Licensing Authorityof each Member State, that has the force of law.
– An individual who has met the requirements to obtain a Home State License that legally conveys the professional title of School Psychologist, orits equivalent,as determinedbytheRulesoftheCommission.
– An individual who has met the requirements to obtain a Home State License that legally conveys the professional title of School Psychologist, orits equivalent, as determinedbytheRulesoftheCommission.
– A requirement for licensure covered in courseworkorexaminationthatincludescontentofuniqueinteresttothe state.
– A requirement for licensure covered in courseworkorexaminationthatincludescontentofuniqueinteresttothestate.
DRS45134-MTa-28 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (a) To be eligible to join this Compact, and to maintain eligibility as a Member State, a state must do the following:
Senate Bill 259-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (a) To be eligible to join this Compact, and to maintain eligibility as a Member State, a state must do the following:
Taken and passed a Qualifying National Exam as defined by the Rules of the Commission.
Taken and passed a Qualifying National Exam as defined bythe Rules of the Commission.
GraduatedfromaQualifying School PsychologistEducationProgram.
GraduatedfromaQualifyingSchool Psychologist EducationProgram.
A Licensee who is an Active Military Member or is the spouse of an Active Military Member shall be deemed to hold a Home State License in any of the following locations:
A Licensee who is an Active MilitaryMember or is the spouse of an Active MilitaryMember shall be deemed to hold a Home State License in any of the following locations:
Page 6 DRS45134-MTa-28 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) A Member State where the Licensee has relocated pursuant to a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
Page 6 Senate Bill 259-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) A Member State where the Licensee has relocated pursuant to a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
The bylaws may provide for delegates to meet by telecommunication, videoconference, or other means of communication.
The bylaws may provide for delegates to meet bytelecommunication, videoconference, or other means of communication.
The Commission may meet by telecommunication, video conference, or other similar electronic means.
The Commission maymeet bytelecommunication, video conference, or other similar electronic means.
DRS45134-MTa-28 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (6) Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this Compact, the Commission's Rules, and the bylaws.
Senate Bill 259-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (6) Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this Compact, the Commission's Rules, and the bylaws.
(14) Accept any and all appropriategifts, donations, grants ofmoney,othersources of revenue, equipment, supplies, materials, and services and receive, utilize, and dispose of the same;
(14) Accept anyand all appropriategifts, donations, grants ofmoney, othersources of revenue, equipment, supplies, materials, and services and receive, utilize, and dispose of the same;
(19) Appoint committees, including standing committees, composed of members, state regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and such other interested persons as may be designated in this Compact and the bylaws.
(19) Appoint committees, including standing committees, composed of members, state regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and such other interested persons as maybe designated in this Compact and the bylaws.
Page 8 DRS45134-MTa-28 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 b.
Page 8 Senate Bill 259-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 b.
The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Commission shall be voting members of the Executive Committee.
The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Commission shall be votingmembers of the Executive Committee.
(2) The Commission or the Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting for the Commission DRS45134-MTa-28 Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 or Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission to receive legal advice or to discuss the following:
(2) The Commission or the Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission mayconvene in a closed, nonpublic meeting for the Commission Senate Bill 259-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 or Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission to receive legal advice or to discuss the following:
Page 10 DRS45134-MTa-28 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (5) The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements.
Page 10 Senate Bill 259-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (5) The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements.
The procurement of insurance of any type by the Commission shall not in any way compromise or limit the immunity granted hereunder.
The procurement of insurance of anytype by the Commission shall not in any way compromise or limit the immunity granted hereunder.
DRS45134-MTa-28 Page 11 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (a) The Commission shall provide for facilitating the exchange of information to administer and implement the provisions of this Compact in accordance with the Rules of the Commission, consistent with generally accepted data protection principles.
Senate Bill 259-First Edition Page 11 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (a) The Commission shall provide for facilitating the exchange of information to administer and implement the provisions of this Compact in accordance with the Rules of the Commission, consistent with generally accepted data protection principles.
(b) Notwithstanding any otherprovision of statelawtothecontrary,aMemberStateshall agree to provide for the facilitation of the following Licensee information as required by the Rules of the Commission, including:
(b) Notwithstandinganyotherprovision ofstatelawtothecontrary,aMemberStateshall agree to provide for the facilitation of the following Licensee information as required by the Rules of the Commission, including:
(7) Otherinformationthatmayfacilitatethe administrationofthis Compact orthe protection of the public, as determined by the Rules of the Commission.
(7) Otherinformationthatmayfacilitatethe administration ofthis Compact or the protection of the public, as determined by the Rules of the Commission.
Page 12 DRS45134-MTa-28 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4) Protect public health and safety.
Page 12 Senate Bill 259-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4) Protect public health and safety.
(1) The executive and judicial branches of the state government in each Member StateshallenforcethisCompactandtakeallactionsnecessaryandappropriate to implement the Compact.
(1) The executive and judicial branches of the state government in each Member StateshallenforcethisCompactandtakeallactionsnecessaryand appropriate to implement the Compact.
Show all 50 changed rows (10 more)
Previous
Latest
Nothing herein shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a Licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct, orany such similarmatter.
Nothing herein shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a Licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct, oranysuchsimilarmatter.
(g) TheCommission shall not bearany costs relatedto a statethat is foundto beindefault or that has been terminated from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting state.
(g) TheCommission shall not bearanycosts relatedto astatethatis foundto beindefault or that has been terminated from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting state.
(h) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Commission by petitioning the U.S.
(h) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Commission bypetitioning the U.S.
District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its DRS45134-MTa-28 Page 13 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 principal offices.
District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its Senate Bill 259-First Edition Page 13 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 principal offices.
(3) All actions taken for the benefit of the Commission or in furtherance of the purposes of the administration of the Compact prior to the effective date of the Compact or the Commission coming into existence shall be considered to Page 14 DRS45134-MTa-28 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 be actions of the Commission unless specifically repudiated by the Commission.
(3) All actions taken for the benefit of the Commission or in furtherance of the purposes of the administration of the Compact prior to the effective date of the Compact or the Commission coming into existence shall be considered to Page 14 Senate Bill 259-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 be actions of the Commission unless specifically repudiated by the Commission.
(c) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing State's Licensing Authority to comply with the investigative and Adverse Action reporting requirements of this Compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal.
(c) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing State's Licensing Authorityto complywith the investigative and Adverse Action reporting requirements of this Compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal.
(b) The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this Compact is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to the constitution of any Member State, a state seeking participation in the Compact, or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder of this Compact and the applicability thereof to any other government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.
(b) The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and if anyphrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this Compact is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to the constitution of any Member State, a state seeking participation in the Compact, or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder of this Compact and the applicability thereof to any other government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.
DRS45134-MTa-28 Page 15 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b) Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a Member State in conflict with theCompact aresupersededto the extent ofthe conflict.
Senate Bill 259-First Edition Page 15 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b) Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a Member State in conflict with theCompact aresupersededto the extent ofthe conflict.
– The State Board of Education shall be the State Licensing Authorityor Licensing Authority forpurposes of Article17Fofthis Chapter and shall fulfill any requirements, duties, or obligations of the State Licensing Authority or Licensing Authority pursuant to that Article." SECTION 6.(c) The section is effective when it becomes law.
– The State Board of Education shall be the State Licensing Authorityor Licensing Authorityforpurposes of Article17Fofthis Chapter and shall fulfill any requirements, duties, or obligations of the State Licensing Authority or Licensing Authority pursuant to that Article." SECTION 6.(c) The section is effective when it becomes law.
Page 16 DRS45134-MTa-28
Page 16 Senate Bill 259-First Edition
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Withdrawn From Com

  4. Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget

  5. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

0 sponsors · 21 co-sponsors · 158 not signed on

Sponsors (0)

None.

Co-sponsors (21)

Not signed on (158)

158 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 158 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

labor education health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 259?
SB 259 is sponsored by Joyce Waddell (Democratic), Benton G. Sawrey (Republican), Norman W. Sanderson (Republican), Gladys A. Robinson (Democratic), Brad Overcash (Republican), Mujtaba A. Mohammed (Democratic), Julie Mayfield (Democratic), Paul A. Lowe, Jr. (Democratic), Michael V. Lee (Republican), Ralph Hise (Republican), Bobby Hanig (Republican), Lisa Grafstein (Democratic), Jay J. Chaudhuri (Democratic), Jim Burgin (Republican), Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (Republican), Bob Brinson (Republican), W. Ted Alexander (Republican), Gale Adcock (Democratic), Kevin Corbin (Republican), Dana Jones (Republican), and Paul Newton (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 259?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 10, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 259?
Track SB 259 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 259

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 259

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →