All Roll Calls
Yes: 213 • No: 4
GeorgiaHB 812025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Interstate Compact for School Psychologists; enter into
Sponsored By: Bethany Ballard (Republican), Matt Dubnik (Republican), Chris Erwin (Republican), Matthew Gambill (Republican), Holt Persinger (Republican), Rick Townsend (Republican)
Became Law
EducationEducation and YouthGeneral Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Easier cross-state practice for school psychologists
Georgia joins the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists. When seven states have enacted it, qualified Georgia licensees can get an equivalent license to work in other member states. To qualify, you must pass a national exam, complete a 1,200-hour supervised internship with at least 600 hours in a school, and graduate from a qualifying program. You must keep an active home-state license, meet any remote state rules, pass a background check there, and pay application and renewal fees. Member states must grant and renew equivalent licenses when you meet these standards, and you must keep up continuing education. Active-duty military members and spouses keep home-state status if their permanent home, primary practice, or PCS location is in a member state.
Stronger cross-state oversight for school psychologists
Licensing boards in compact states share investigation and discipline files when asked. States must protect the information at least as they protect their own files and tell the original state before further disclosure. The commission also requires states to share core license data, denials, adverse actions, and investigation flags under its data-protection rules.
Who runs the compact and enforces rules
The law creates a multi-state commission to run the compact. It can make rules (30-day public notice; emergency rules with 48 hours’ notice and full process within 90 days), hire staff, keep records, and manage licenses. The commission can enforce the compact in court; a winning party can recover costs and reasonable attorney fees. Commission members and staff have legal immunity for acts done in their job scope (not for intentional misconduct), and the commission must defend and indemnify them. Georgia’s Professional Standards Commission can issue state rules, and conflicting state laws are repealed so the compact controls.
Fees, start date, and leaving the compact
The commission can charge fees to licensees using equivalent licenses and assess member states to fund operations. It must secure funds before spending and get an annual financial review. The compact takes effect when the seventh state enacts it. A state can leave with 180 days’ notice, and must keep recognizing compact licenses for at least six months after notice. A terminated state still owes any assessments and obligations through its termination date.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Bethany Ballard
Republican • House
Matt Dubnik
Republican • House
Chris Erwin
Republican • House
Matthew Gambill
Republican • House
Holt Persinger
Republican • House
Rick Townsend
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Larry Walker
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/13/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 48 • No: 2
House vote • 2/13/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 165 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Effective Date
7/1/2025House Date Signed by Governor
4/28/2025HouseAct 12
4/28/2025House Sent to Governor
4/7/2025HouseSenate Third Read
3/13/2025SenateSenate Passed/Adopted
3/13/2025SenateSenate Read Second Time
3/10/2025SenateSenate Committee Favorably Reported
3/6/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
2/18/2025SenateHouse Third Readers
2/13/2025HouseHouse Passed/Adopted
2/13/2025HouseHouse Committee Favorably Reported
2/11/2025HouseHouse Second Readers
1/27/2025HouseHouse First Readers
1/17/2025HouseHouse Hopper
1/16/2025House
Bill Text
HB 81/AP* (v7)
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