LBD05604-04-4
S. 3036--A 2
legislature therefore declares that by addressing the needs of children
through prevention services, assessments and/or counseling, school
psychology professionals can contribute to their future success. It is
important that school psychology professionals are held to specific
standards and requirements that will ensure competent services.
§ 2. The education law is amended by adding a new article 153-A to
read as follows:
ARTICLE 153-A
LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER
SECTION 7620. INTRODUCTION.
7621. PRACTICE OF LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER AND
USE OF THE TITLE "LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITION-
ER".
7622. DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE OF A LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
PRACTITIONER.
7623. REQUIREMENTS FOR A PROFESSIONAL LICENSE.
7624. BOUNDARIES OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY.
7625. LIMITED PERMITS.
7626. EXEMPTIONS.
7627. SPECIAL PROVISIONS.
§ 7620. INTRODUCTION. THIS ARTICLE APPLIES TO THE PROFESSION AND PRAC-
TICE OF A LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER AND TO THE USE OF THE
TITLE "LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER". THE GENERAL PROVISIONS
FOR ALL PROFESSIONS CONTAINED IN ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY OF THIS
TITLE APPLY TO THIS ARTICLE.
§ 7621. PRACTICE OF LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER AND USE OF
THE TITLE "LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER". ONLY A PERSON
LICENSED OR EXEMPT UNDER THIS ARTICLE SHALL PRACTICE AS A LICENSED
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER OR USE THE TITLE "LICENSED SCHOOL
PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER".
§ 7622. DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE OF A LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
PRACTITIONER. THE PRACTICE OF A LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER
IS:
1. THE ASSESSMENT, INCLUDING PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL AND
VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT, EVALUATION AND INTERPRETATION OF INTELLIGENCE,
COGNITIVE PROCESSES, APTITUDES, INTERESTS, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, ADJUST-
MENT, PERSONALITY FACTORS AND MOTIVATIONS, OR ANY OTHER ATTRIBUTES, TO
INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS AGED BIRTH TO TWENTY-TWO YEARS THAT
RELATE TO LEARNING, EDUCATION OR ADJUSTMENT NEEDS;
2. THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATIONALLY-RELATED
PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC AND BEHAVIORAL APPROACHES TO INCREASE SCHOOL ADJUST-
MENT AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS, COUNSELING AND INTERPRETIVE SERVICES TO
REDUCE EDUCATION-RELATED PROBLEMS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, VERBAL
INTERACTION, INTERVIEWING, BEHAVIOR TECHNIQUES, DEVELOPMENTAL AND VOCA-
TIONAL INTERVENTION, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND GROUP PROCESSES;
3. CONSULTATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF SCHOOLS, AGENCIES AND ORGAN-
IZATIONS, FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL, DEVEL-
OPMENTAL AND VOCATIONAL ASSISTANCE OR DIRECT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES,
RELATED TO LEARNING PROBLEMS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO THOSE PROBLEMS TO THE
BENEFIT OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS AGED BIRTH TO TWENTY-
TWO YEARS; AND
4. THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING DESIGNING, IMPLEMENTING
OR EVALUATING EDUCATIONALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY SOUND LEARNING ENVIRON-
MENTS AND THE FACILITATION OF PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVID-
UALS, FAMILIES OR GROUPS.
S. 3036--A 3
§ 7623. REQUIREMENTS FOR A PROFESSIONAL LICENSE. TO QUALIFY FOR A
LICENSE AS A LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER, AN APPLICANT SHALL
FULFILL THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
1. APPLICATION: FILE AN APPLICATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT;
2. EDUCATION: COMPLETE A MINIMUM OF SIXTY GRADUATE SEMESTER HOURS IN
PSYCHOLOGY CREDITS INCLUDING A MASTER'S DEGREE AND FULFILL THE REQUIRE-
MENTS OF AN ADVANCED DEGREE IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY OR ITS EQUIVALENT OR
DOCTORAL DEGREE IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY FROM A PROGRAM REGISTERED BY THE
DEPARTMENT, OR DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO BE THE SUBSTANTIAL EQUIV-
ALENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S REGULATIONS. THE GRADUATE
COURSEWORK SHALL REFLECT THE TRAINING AND CREDENTIALING STANDARDS ESTAB-
LISHED BY A NATIONAL CERTIFYING BODY HAVING SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY CERTIF-
ICATION OR REGIONAL STANDARDS ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMISSIONER AND
INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
(I) BIOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL BASES OF DEVELOPMENT;
(II) PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND EXCEPTIONALITY IN LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR;
(III) ASSESSMENT AND APPRAISAL OF LEARNERS IN HOME AND SCHOOL
CONTEXTS;
(IV) CONSULTATION AND COLLABORATION IN FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
SYSTEMS;
(V) EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF COGNITIVE AND ACADEMIC
SKILLS;
(VI) PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS
AND DEFICITS;
(VII) SCHOOL ORGANIZATION, CURRICULUM, POLICY AND LAW;
(VIII) RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION;
(IX) PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY IN SCHOOLS; AND
(X) COMPLETION OF A TWELVE HUNDRED HOUR SUPERVISED INTERNSHIP IN
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY, WITH NO LESS THAN SIX HUNDRED HOURS COMPLETED WITHIN
A SCHOOL SETTING OR SUCH OTHER SETTING OTHERWISE GOVERNED BY THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION SIXTY-FIVE HUNDRED THREE-A OR SIXTY-FIVE HUNDRED
THREE-B OF THIS TITLE RELATING TO WAIVERS FOR ENTITIES PROVIDING PROFES-
SIONAL SERVICES.
3. EXPERIENCE: COMPLETE A MINIMUM OF TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED HOURS
OF POST-MASTER'S SUPERVISED EXPERIENCE RELEVANT TO THE PRACTICE OF
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY SATISFACTORY TO THE BOARD AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
COMMISSIONER'S REGULATIONS, SUCH SUPERVISED EXPERIENCE WHICH MAY INCLUDE
ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED HOURS COMPLETED AS PART OF A PROGRAM IN SCHOOL
PSYCHOLOGY. SATISFACTORY EXPERIENCE OBTAINED IN AN ENTITY OPERATING
UNDER A WAIVER ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION SIXTY-FIVE
HUNDRED THREE-A OF THIS TITLE MAY BE ACCEPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT,
NOTWITHSTANDING THAT SUCH EXPERIENCE MAY HAVE BEEN OBTAINED PRIOR TO THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH SECTION SIXTY-FIVE HUNDRED THREE-A AND/OR PRIOR
TO THE ENTITY HAVING OBTAINED A WAIVER. THE DEPARTMENT MAY, FOR GOOD
CAUSE SHOWN, ACCEPT SATISFACTORY EXPERIENCE THAT WAS OBTAINED IN A
SETTING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR A WAIVER BUT WHICH HAS NOT
OBTAINED A WAIVER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OR EXPERIENCE THAT WAS OBTAINED IN
GOOD FAITH BY THE APPLICANT UNDER THE BELIEF THAT APPROPRIATE AUTHORI-
ZATION HAD BEEN OBTAINED FOR THE EXPERIENCE, PROVIDED THAT SUCH EXPERI-
ENCE MEETS ALL OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE;
4. EXAMINATION: PASS AN EXAMINATION SATISFACTORY TO THE BOARD AND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S REGULATIONS;
5. AGE: BE AT LEAST TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE;
6. CHARACTER: BE OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPART-
MENT; AND
S. 3036--A 4
7. FEES: PAY A FEE OF ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS TO THE DEPART-
MENT FOR ADMISSION TO A DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED EXAMINATION AND FOR AN
INITIAL LICENSE AND A FEE OF ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY DOLLARS FOR EACH TRIEN-
NIAL REGISTRATION PERIOD.
§ 7624. BOUNDARIES OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY. 1. IT SHALL BE DEEMED
PRACTICING OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF A PERSON'S PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
FOR A PERSON LICENSED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, IN THE CASE OF TREATMENT
OF ANY SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, TO PROVIDE ANY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
FOR SUCH ILLNESS ON A CONTINUOUS AND SUSTAINED BASIS WITHOUT A MEDICAL
EVALUATION OF THE ILLNESS BY, AND CONSULTATION WITH, A PHYSICIAN REGARD-
ING SUCH ILLNESS. SUCH MEDICAL EVALUATION AND CONSULTATION SHALL BE TO
DETERMINE AND ADVISE WHETHER ANY MEDICAL CARE IS INDICATED FOR SUCH
ILLNESS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS" MEANS
SCHIZOPHRENIA, SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER, BIPOLAR DISORDER, MAJOR
DEPRESSIVE DISORDER, PANIC DISORDER AND OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER.
NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PREVENT, LIMIT OR IMPAIR
CONSULTATION WITH ANY OTHER HEALTH OR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. NOTH-
ING HEREIN CONTAINED SHALL LIMIT, MODIFY, RESTRICT OR OTHERWISE AFFECT
THE DEFINITION OF THE PRACTICE OF A LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTI-
TIONER AS PROVIDED IN SECTION SEVENTY-SIX HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THIS
ARTICLE.
2. ANY INDIVIDUAL WHOSE LICENSE OR AUTHORITY TO PRACTICE DERIVES FROM
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM:
(A) PRESCRIBING OR ADMINISTERING DRUGS AS DEFINED IN THIS CHAPTER AS A
TREATMENT, THERAPY, OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE IN THE PRACTICE OF SUCH
INDIVIDUAL'S PROFESSION;
(B) USING INVASIVE PROCEDURES AS A TREATMENT, THERAPY, OR PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE IN THE PRACTICE OF SUCH INDIVIDUAL'S PROFESSION. FOR PURPOSES OF
THIS SUBDIVISION, "INVASIVE PROCEDURE" MEANS ANY PROCEDURE IN WHICH
HUMAN TISSUE IS CUT, ALTERED, OR OTHERWISE INFILTRATED BY MECHANICAL OR
OTHER MEANS. INVASIVE PROCEDURE INCLUDES SURGERY, LASERS, IONIZING
RADIATION, THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND, OR ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY; OR
(C) ENGAGING IN DUAL SETTING PRACTICE, OR OTHERWISE OFFERING OR
PROVIDING PRIVATE PRACTICE SERVICES TO A STUDENT OF A SCHOOL OR SPECIAL
EDUCATION PROGRAM WHERE THE PRACTITIONER IS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED OR UNDER
CONTRACT WITH SUCH SCHOOL OR PROGRAM.
3. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE DEEMED TO AUTHORIZE, GRANT OR
EXTEND HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES TO INDIVIDUALS LICENSED UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
§ 7625. LIMITED PERMITS. 1. THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE A LIMITED PERMIT
TO AN APPLICANT WHOSE QUALIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR ADMISSION TO
THE EXAMINATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREFOR.
2. LIMITED PERMITS SHALL BE FOR TWO YEARS AND BE RENEWED, AT THE
DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT, FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR.
3. THE FEE FOR EACH LIMITED PERMIT AND FOR EACH RENEWAL SHALL BE
SEVENTY DOLLARS.
§ 7626. EXEMPTIONS. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE
CONSTRUED TO:
1. APPLY TO THE PRACTICE, CONDUCT, ACTIVITIES, SERVICES OR USE OF ANY
TITLE BY ANY PERSON LICENSED OR OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE MEDI-
CINE WITHIN THE STATE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE OF THIS
TITLE OR BY ANY PERSON REGISTERED TO PERFORM SERVICES AS A PHYSICIAN
ASSISTANT WITHIN THE STATE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE-B
OF THIS TITLE OR BY ANY PERSON LICENSED OR OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED TO PRAC-
TICE PSYCHOLOGY WITHIN THIS STATE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED
FIFTY-THREE OF THIS TITLE OR BY ANY PERSON LICENSED OR OTHERWISE AUTHOR-
IZED TO PRACTICE AS A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER WITHIN THIS STATE
S. 3036--A 5
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR OF THIS TITLE, OR BY ANY
PERSON LICENSED OR OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE NURSING AS A REGIS-
TERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE WITHIN THIS STATE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ONE
HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE OF THIS TITLE, OR BY ANY PERSON LICENSED OR OTHER-
WISE AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, MARRIAGE AND FAMI-
LY THERAPY, CREATIVE ARTS THERAPY, OR PSYCHOANALYSIS WITHIN THE STATE,
OR BY ANY PERSON LICENSED OR OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE APPLIED
BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS WITHIN THE STATE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT NO PHYSICIAN, PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT, REGISTERED PROFES-
SIONAL NURSE, PSYCHOLOGIST, LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER, LICENSED
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST,
LICENSED CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST, LICENSED PSYCHOANALYST OR LICENSED
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST MAY USE THE TITLE UNLESS LICENSED UNDER THIS
ARTICLE;
2. PROHIBIT OR LIMIT ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO IS CREDENTIALED UNDER ANY LAW,
INCLUDING ATTORNEYS, RAPE CRISIS COUNSELORS, CERTIFIED ALCOHOLISM COUN-
SELORS AND CERTIFIED SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS FROM PROVIDING MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE ESTABLISHED AUTHORITIES;
3. PROHIBIT OR LIMIT THE PRACTICE OF A PROFESSION LICENSED PURSUANT
TO THIS ARTICLE BY A STUDENT, INTERN OR RESIDENT IN, AND AS A PART OF, A
SUPERVISED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN AN INSTITUTION APPROVED BY THE DEPART-
MENT;
4. PROHIBIT OR LIMIT THE PROVISION OF PASTORAL COUNSELING SERVICES BY
ANY MEMBER OF THE CLERGY OR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PRACTITIONER, WITHIN THE
CONTEXT OF SUCH MEMBER OF THE CLERGY OR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PRACTITIONER'S
MINISTERIAL CHARGE OR OBLIGATION;
5. PROHIBIT OR LIMIT INDIVIDUALS, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, ORGAN-
IZATIONS, OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES, FROM PROVIDING INSTRUCTION,
ADVICE, SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT, OR INFORMATION TO INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES,
AND RELATIONAL GROUPS;
6. PROHIBIT OR LIMIT AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST FROM PERFORMING WORK
CONSISTENT WITH ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX OF THIS TITLE;
7. AFFECT OR PREVENT THE ACTIVITIES OR SERVICES ON THE PART OF A
PERSON IN THE EMPLOY OF A FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, OR MUNICIPAL AGENCY,
OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION, OR A CHARTERED ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY
SCHOOL OR DEGREE-GRANTING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION INSOFAR AS SUCH ACTIV-
ITIES AND SERVICES ARE A PART OF THE DUTIES OF SUCH PERSON'S SALARIED
POSITION; OR
8. IMPAIR OR AFFECT THE CONDUCT, ACTIVITIES OR SERVICES OF A TECHNI-
CIAN TO ADMINISTER AND SCORE STANDARDIZED OBJECTIVE (NON-PROJECTIVE)
PSYCHOLOGICAL OR NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS WHICH HAVE SPECIFIC PREDETER-
MINED AND MANUALIZED ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES WHICH ENTAIL OBSERVING
AND DESCRIBING TEST BEHAVIOR AND TEST RESPONSES, AND WHICH DO NOT
REQUIRE EVALUATION, INTERPRETATION OR OTHER JUDGMENTS AS PROVIDED IN
SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF SECTION SEVENTY-SIX HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS TITLE.
§ 7627. SPECIAL PROVISIONS. 1. ANY NONEXEMPT PERSON PRACTICING THE
PROFESSION OF LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER SHALL APPLY FOR A
LICENSE OF SUCH PROFESSION WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
SECTION.
(A) IF SUCH PERSON DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A LICENSE ESTAB-
LISHED WITHIN THIS ARTICLE, SUCH PERSON MAY MEET ALTERNATIVE CRITERIA
DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO BE THE SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENT OF SUCH
CRITERIA.
(B) IF SUCH PERSON MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A LICENSE ESTABLISHED
WITHIN THIS ARTICLE, EXCEPT FOR EXAMINATION, AND HAS BEEN CERTIFIED OR
REGISTERED BY A NATIONAL CERTIFYING OR REGISTERING BODY HAVING CERTIF-
S. 3036--A 6
ICATION OR REGISTRATION STANDARDS ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMISSIONER, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL LICENSE WITHOUT EXAMINATION.
2. NOTWITHSTANDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION SEVENTY-SIX HUNDRED
TWENTY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE, AND FOR A PERIOD OF TIME NOT TO EXCEED TWO
YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE, AN INDIVIDUAL MAY BE
LICENSED AS A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER PROVIDED SUCH PERSON HAS
EITHER:
(A) MET THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AS DEFINED IN SECTION SEVENTY-SIX
HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE AND PERFORMED THE DUTIES OF A
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST AS AUTHORIZED BY ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE OF
THIS TITLE OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, FOR TWO OF THE PAST FIVE YEARS
PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE; OR
(B) PERFORMED THE DUTIES OF A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST AS AUTHORIZED BY
ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE OF THIS TITLE OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF
LAW, FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTI-
CLE.
3. ANY PERSON LICENSED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE MAY USE ACCEPTED CODES
AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, DYSFUNCTIONS AND DISORDERS, AS
APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT,
IN THE PRACTICE OF SUCH LICENSED PROFESSION.
4. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE DEEMED TO ALTER, MODIFY OR AFFECT
THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWELVE OR TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED
TEN OF THIS CHAPTER OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE CERTIFICATION OF A SCHOOL
PSYCHOLOGIST.
§ 3. Paragraph a of subdivision 3 of section 6507 of the education
law, as amended by chapter 479 of the laws of 2022, is amended to read
as follows:
a. Establish standards for preprofessional and professional education,
experience and licensing examinations as required to implement the arti-
cle for each profession. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
commissioner shall establish standards requiring that all persons apply-
ing, on or after January first, nineteen hundred ninety-one, initially,
or for the renewal of, a license, registration or limited permit to be a
physician, chiropractor, dentist, registered nurse, podiatrist, optome-
trist, psychiatrist, psychologist, LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTI-
TIONER, licensed master social worker, licensed clinical social worker,
licensed creative arts therapist, licensed marriage and family thera-
pist, licensed mental health counselor, licensed psychoanalyst, dental
hygienist, licensed behavior analyst, or certified behavior analyst
assistant shall, in addition to all the other licensure, certification
or permit requirements, have completed two hours of coursework or train-
ing regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and
maltreatment. The coursework or training shall be obtained from an
institution or provider which has been approved by the department to
provide such coursework or training. The coursework or training shall
include information regarding the physical and behavioral indicators of
child abuse and maltreatment and the statutory reporting requirements
set out in sections four hundred thirteen through four hundred twenty of
the social services law, including but not limited to, when and how a
report must be made, what other actions the reporter is mandated or
authorized to take, the legal protections afforded reporters, and the
consequences for failing to report. Such coursework or training may also
include information regarding the physical and behavioral indicators of
the abuse of individuals with developmental disabilities and voluntary
reporting of abused or neglected adults to the office for people with
developmental disabilities or the local adult protective services unit.
S. 3036--A 7
Each applicant shall provide the department with documentation showing
that [he or she] SUCH APPLICANT has completed the required training. The
department shall provide an exemption from the child abuse and maltreat-
ment training requirements to any applicant who requests such an
exemption and who shows, to the department's satisfaction, that there
would be no need because of the nature of [his or her] SUCH APPLICANT'S
practice for [him or her] SUCH APPLICANT to complete such training;
§ 4. Paragraph a of subdivision 3 of section 6507 of the education
law, as amended by chapter 733 of the laws of 2023, is amended to read
as follows:
a. Establish standards for preprofessional and professional education,
experience and licensing examinations as required to implement the arti-
cle for each profession. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
commissioner shall establish standards requiring that all persons apply-
ing, on or after January first, nineteen hundred ninety-one, initially,
or for the renewal of, a license, registration or limited permit to be a
physician, chiropractor, dentist, registered nurse, podiatrist, optome-
trist, psychiatrist, psychologist, LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTI-
TIONER, licensed master social worker, licensed clinical social worker,
licensed creative arts therapist, licensed marriage and family thera-
pist, licensed mental health counselor, licensed psychoanalyst, dental
hygienist, licensed behavior analyst, certified behavior analyst assist-
ant, or athletic trainer shall, in addition to all the other licensure,
certification or permit requirements, have completed two hours of
coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of
child abuse and maltreatment. The coursework or training shall be
obtained from an institution or provider which has been approved by the
department to provide such coursework or training. The coursework or
training shall include information regarding the physical and behavioral
indicators of child abuse and maltreatment and the statutory reporting
requirements set out in sections four hundred thirteen through four
hundred twenty of the social services law, including but not limited to,
when and how a report must be made, what other actions the reporter is
mandated or authorized to take, the legal protections afforded repor-
ters, and the consequences for failing to report. Such coursework or
training may also include information regarding the physical and behav-
ioral indicators of the abuse of individuals with developmental disabil-
ities and voluntary reporting of abused or neglected adults to the
office for people with developmental disabilities or the local adult
protective services unit. Each applicant shall provide the department
with documentation showing that [he or she] SUCH APPLICANT has completed
the required training. The department shall provide an exemption from
the child abuse and maltreatment training requirements to any applicant
who requests such an exemption and who shows, to the department's satis-
faction, that there would be no need because of the nature of [his or
her] SUCH APPLICANT'S practice for [him or her] SUCH APPLICANT to
complete such training;
§ 5. Section 7602 of the education law, as added by chapter 987 of the
laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
§ 7602. State board for psychology. A state board for psychology
shall be appointed by the board of regents on recommendation of the
commissioner for the purpose of assisting the board of regents and the
department on matters of professional licensing and professional conduct
in accordance with section sixty-five hundred eight of this title. The
board shall be composed of not less than eleven [psychologists licensed
in this state] MEMBERS, SEVEN OF WHOM SHALL BE LICENSED PSYCHOLOGISTS,
S. 3036--A 8
TWO OF WHOM SHALL BE LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONERS AND TWO OF
WHOM SHALL BE PUBLIC MEMBERS. An executive secretary to the board shall
be appointed by the board of regents upon the recommendation of the
commissioner and shall be a psychologist, licensed in this state.
§ 6. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 413 of the social
services law, as amended by section 7 of part C of chapter 57 of the
laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The following persons and officials are required to report or
cause a report to be made in accordance with this title when they have
reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before them in their
professional or official capacity is an abused or maltreated child, or
when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is an abused or
maltreated child where the parent, guardian, custodian or other person
legally responsible for such child comes before them in their profes-
sional or official capacity and states from personal knowledge facts,
conditions or circumstances which, if correct, would render the child an
abused or maltreated child: any physician; registered physician assist-
ant; surgeon; medical examiner; coroner; dentist; dental hygienist;
osteopath; optometrist; chiropractor; podiatrist; resident; intern;
psychologist; LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER; registered nurse;
social worker; emergency medical technician; licensed creative arts
therapist; licensed marriage and family therapist; licensed mental
health counselor; licensed psychoanalyst; licensed behavior analyst;
certified behavior analyst assistant; hospital personnel engaged in the
admission, examination, care or treatment of persons; a Christian
Science practitioner; school official, which includes but is not limited
to school teacher, school guidance counselor, school psychologist,
school social worker, school nurse, school administrator or other school
personnel required to hold a teaching or administrative license or
certificate; full or part-time compensated school employee required to
hold a temporary coaching license or professional coaching certificate;
social services worker; employee of a publicly-funded emergency shelter
for families with children; director of a children's overnight camp,
summer day camp or traveling summer day camp, as such camps are defined
in section thirteen hundred ninety-two of the public health law; day
care center worker; school-age child care worker; provider of family or
group family day care; employee or volunteer in a residential care
facility for children that is licensed, certified or operated by the
office of children and family services; or any other child care or
foster care worker; mental health professional; substance abuse counse-
lor; alcoholism counselor; all persons credentialed by the office of
[alcoholism and substance abuse] ADDICTION services AND SUPPORTS;
employees, who are expected to have regular and substantial contact with
children, of a health home or health home care management agency
contracting with a health home as designated by the department of health
and authorized under section three hundred sixty-five-l of this chapter
or such employees who provide home and community based services under a
demonstration program pursuant to section eleven hundred fifteen of the
federal social security act who are expected to have regular and
substantial contact with children; peace officer; police officer;
district attorney or assistant district attorney; investigator employed
in the office of a district attorney; or other law enforcement official.
§ 7. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 of section 413 of the social
services law, as amended by chapter 733 of the laws of 2023, is amended
to read as follows:
S. 3036--A 9
(a) The following persons and officials are required to report or
cause a report to be made in accordance with this title when they have
reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before them in their
professional or official capacity is an abused or maltreated child, or
when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is an abused or
maltreated child where the parent, guardian, custodian or other person
legally responsible for such child comes before them in their profes-
sional or official capacity and states from personal knowledge facts,
conditions or circumstances which, if correct, would render the child an
abused or maltreated child: any physician; registered physician assist-
ant; surgeon; medical examiner; coroner; dentist; dental hygienist;
osteopath; optometrist; chiropractor; podiatrist; resident; intern;
athletic trainer; psychologist; LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER;
registered nurse; social worker; emergency medical technician; licensed
creative arts therapist; licensed marriage and family therapist;
licensed mental health counselor; licensed psychoanalyst; licensed
behavior analyst; certified behavior analyst assistant; hospital person-
nel engaged in the admission, examination, care or treatment of persons;
a Christian Science practitioner; school official, which includes but is
not limited to school teacher, school guidance counselor, school
psychologist, school social worker, school nurse, school administrator
or other school personnel required to hold a teaching or administrative
license or certificate; full or part-time compensated school employee
required to hold a temporary coaching license or professional coaching
certificate; social services worker; employee of a publicly-funded emer-
gency shelter for families with children; director of a children's over-
night camp, summer day camp or traveling summer day camp, as such camps
are defined in section thirteen hundred ninety-two of the public health
law; day care center worker; school-age child care worker; provider of
family or group family day care; employee or volunteer in a residential
care facility for children that is licensed, certified or operated by
the office of children and family services; or any other child care or
foster care worker; mental health professional; substance abuse counse-
lor; alcoholism counselor; all persons credentialed by the office of
alcoholism and substance abuse services; employees, who are expected to
have regular and substantial contact with children, of a health home or
health home care management agency contracting with a health home as
designated by the department of health and authorized under section
three hundred sixty-five-l of this chapter or such employees who provide
home and community based services under a demonstration program pursuant
to section eleven hundred fifteen of the federal social security act who
are expected to have regular and substantial contact with children;
peace officer; police officer; district attorney or assistant district
attorney; investigator employed in the office of a district attorney; or
other law enforcement official.
§ 8. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section
6503-a of the education law, as amended by chapter 554 of the laws of
2013, is amended to read as follows:
(i) services provided under article ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE-A, one
hundred fifty-four, one hundred sixty-three or one hundred sixty-seven
of this title for which licensure would be required, or
§ 9. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part
of this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to
be invalid, the judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the
remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause,
S. 3036--A 10
sentence, paragraph, section or part thereof directly involved in the
controversy in which the judgment shall have been rendered.
§ 10. This act shall take effect eighteen months after it shall have
become a law; provided, however, that:
(a) sections four and seven of this act shall take effect on the same
date and in the same manner as sections 10 and 12 of chapter 733 of the
laws of 2023 take effect;
(b) effective immediately the department of education is authorized to
promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measure
necessary to implement this act on or before its effective date, includ-
ing, but not limited to, the appointment of the state board for psychol-
ogy, the acceptance and processing of applications for licensure and the
issuance of licenses; and
(c) the provisions of article 153-A of the education law, as added by
section two of this act, requiring a license or limited permit to prac-
tice under such article shall not be enforced until twenty-four months
after the effective date of this act.
School psychologists are equipped with extensive education and training on childhood and adolescent developmental and educational needs. As such, we are also trained in the areas of counseling and consultation in order to support mental health needs. In this current mental health crisis, it is imperative that we take action and allow our trained school psychologists also have access to licensure and work in the private facilities. This would allow us to work in more settings that support the mental health of our children who are significantly struggling post pandemic and in this every changing technology-fueled life that is continuing to further isolate the children around us. Please let this bill go through as it will open the doors for more widespread mental health supports in our communities!!