GeorgiaHB 812025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

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)

Signed by Governor

EducationEducation and YouthGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Military families gain school psychologist portability

Eligible school psychologists who are active-duty military members or their spouses receive special home-state license treatment under the compact. This covers their permanent-residence state and primary state of practice. It also covers a member state where they move under permanent change-of-station orders. This helps these households use the compact's license pathway after military moves.

School psychologists gain cross-state license options

Georgia joins the school psychologist licensing compact, which takes effect once seven states enact it. Member states must grant equivalent licenses to eligible applicants. Home-state applicants must graduate from a qualifying program, pass a qualifying national exam, and complete at least 1,200 supervised internship hours. At least 600 hours must be in a school. Applicants for another member state's license must keep an active home-state license and meet state-specific and commission application rules. They must meet home-state renewal and continuing-education rules, complete a remote-state criminal background check, and pay applicable fees. Renewing a remote-state license requires an application, another background check, and payment of renewal fees.

States share psychologist records with safeguards

Member states must share licensee data under commission rules, including identity, license details, disciplinary actions, and application denials with reasons. They also share nonconfidential alternative-program participation, whether investigative information exists and its dates, and other required data. States must provide investigation and discipline files to other member states upon request. States must protect data security and confidentiality; the state supplying information keeps ownership and control under its laws. Before sharing another state's information further, a state must tell the source state its intended disclosure and purpose.

Compact psychologists can face added fees

The compact commission can charge fees to psychologists practicing under equivalent licenses and collect annual assessments from member states. Commission rules set how assessments are divided among states. These charges cover the approved annual budget when other revenue falls short; the law sets no amounts or rate caps. The commission can accept gifts and grants, hire staff, contract for services, and hold property. It cannot pledge a state's credit without approval or take on obligations before securing funds.

Commission workers receive limited lawsuit protection

Commission members, officers, staff, and representatives receive protection from civil liability for qualifying acts within their duties. This includes acts reasonably believed to fall within those duties. The commission must provide a defense and cover qualifying claims. Protection excludes intentional wrongdoing, willful misconduct, and reckless misconduct described as wanton. School psychologists remain liable for professional malpractice or misconduct under state law.

Compact exits include temporary license protection

The commission must notify a defaulting state and offer help to fix its violations. After failed correction and exhausted compliance efforts, a supermajority of member-state delegates can terminate the state's membership. A state can also withdraw by repealing the compact; withdrawal takes effect 180 days after repeal is enacted. In either case, the state must immediately notify licensees and recognize compact licenses for at least six months after notice. States remain liable for assessments and obligations incurred through exit; withdrawing states must keep reporting investigations and disciplinary actions arising before withdrawal takes effect. Terminated states can appeal in federal court where the commission's main office is located, and prevailing parties can recover legal costs.

Binding compact rules guide psychologist licensing

The law establishes a joint government commission that adopts binding compact rules, budgets, and bylaws. State executive branches and courts must enforce the compact; conflicting state laws are displaced only where they conflict. States keep authority over practice limits, investigations, and discipline, and permitted agreements with the commission bind states under their terms. Proposed rules require at least 30 days' public notice; emergency rules require 48 hours' notice and standard rulemaking within 90 days. A rule stops applying when a majority of member-state legislatures reject it within four years. The commission meets at least annually and issues an annual report with a certified or licensed accountant's financial review. It can use mediation, binding dispute resolution, and federal lawsuits to enforce compliance, with injunctions, damages, and prevailing-party legal costs available.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Larry Walker
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 213 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/13/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 48 • No: 2 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/13/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 165 • No: 2 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
7/1/2025
House Date Signed by Governor
4/28/2025House
Act 12
4/28/2025
House Sent to Governor
4/7/2025House
Senate Third Read
3/13/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
3/13/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
3/10/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
3/6/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
2/18/2025Senate
House Third Readers
2/13/2025House
House Passed/Adopted
2/13/2025House
House Committee Favorably Reported
2/11/2025House
House Second Readers
1/27/2025House
House First Readers
1/17/2025House
House Hopper
1/16/2025House

Bill Text

HB 81/AP* (v7)
PDF

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