Denver, Colorado – The House Education Committee today passed legislation to increase the number of behavioral health professionals in schools. HB24-1096, sponsored by Rep. Megan Lukens and Rep. Mary Young, would create an interstate compact for school psychologists.
“To help our students succeed in the classroom and beyond, we need to ensure they have access to behavioral and mental health professionals.” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “As a teacher, I know how important it is to address the behavioral and mental health care needs of my students so that they can reach their full educational potential.” Our legislation places licensed school psychologists in Colorado school districts and creates an interstate compact to facilitate access to behavioral health care for youth.”
“I spent most of my career as a school psychologist helping students grow and thrive in public schools.” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “This important bill will attract more high-quality licensed school psychologists to Colorado schools to help meet the complex needs of students. It’s clear that behavioral health professionals working in schools We need more. This bill will help break down barriers and allow already licensed school psychologists to begin working in school districts across the state.”
HB24-1096 The committee passed the bill unanimously, creating a new path for out-of-state school psychologists to obtain professional licensure in Colorado. This bill would create the School Psychologist Licensing Interstate Compact, an agreement between Colorado and six other states that would allow licensed school psychologists in member states to be licensed to practice school psychological services. It allows for easy transfer and acquisition from member states of the United States.
This legislation aims to reduce barriers for school psychologists by easing the interstate licensure process in order to increase access to special education services and behavioral health care in Colorado schools. The School Psychologist Licensing Interstate Compact will be especially helpful to active duty military personnel and military spouses who often move from state to state.
To participate in Compact, applicants must already be certified as school psychologists. This includes passing a qualifying national exam, completing at least 1,200 hours of instruction prior to licensure, and graduating from a licensed school psychologist program.
Colorado lawmakers have championed nine Mobility Compact laws over the years, including last year’s Mobility Compact Act. HB23-1064 To address Colorado’s teacher shortage.
