STAND. COM. REP. NO. 88

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1116

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1116 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the recommended criteria for the licensure of school psychologists in the State;

(2) Amend the composition of the Board of Psychology to include two school psychologists; and

(3) Require all persons practicing under the title of "school psychologist" in the State to obtain a school psychologist license with the Board of Psychology by July 1, 2025.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; National Association of School Psychologists; Hawaii State Teachers Association; Hawai‘i Association of School Psychologists; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; Hui for Excellence in Education Coalition, and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Republic of Hawai‘i. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Board of Psychology's Legislative Committee, and Hawai‘i Psychological Association.

Your Committee finds that school psychologists are integral to helping students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally by providing direct educational and mental health services for children and youth. Your Committee further finds that Hawaii, as the only state without certification or licensure for school psychologists, cannot ensure that functioning school psychologists are properly qualified and delivering appropriate services.

Your Committee notes that the National Association of School Psychologists' Standards for the Credentialing of School Psychologists provides a model upon which guidelines for a proper licensing program may in part be based on. Furthermore, accredited school psychologists should be licensed by, and registered with, the Board of Psychology to ensure the delivery of quality services to students and the community. This measure establishes the framework for the licensure of school psychologists, based in part by the National Association of School Psychologists' Standards, and the regulation of the profession to ensure appropriate services are delivered and the public is protected from the unqualified practice of school psychology.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to June 30, 3000; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider the testimony of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the concerns and recommendations raised in the Department's testimony.

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. 1116, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1116, 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,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair