House Bill 1302

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-31-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT PERSONS UNDER CONTRACT WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PERFORM SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES MAY USE THE SAME TITLES AS THOSE PERSONS EMPLOYED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO PERFORM THOSE SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 73-31-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-31-27. (1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit:

(a) The activities, services, and use of an official title on the part of a person in the employ of a federal, state, county or municipal agency, or of other political subdivisions, or any educational institution chartered by the state, insofar as such activities, services and use of an official title are a part of the duties of his office or position with such agency or institution; or

(b) The activities, services and use of an official title on the part of a person in the employ of an exempt organization (in any state) who may be employed by another exempt organization for a consulting fee; or

(c) The activities and services of a student, intern or trainee in psychology pursuing a course of study in psychology at an institution of higher education, if these activities and services constitute a part of his supervised course of study; or

(d) The services and activities of members of other professional groups licensed or certified by the State of Mississippi who perform work of a psychological nature consistent with their training, work experience history, and with any code of ethics of their respective professions, provided they do not hold themselves out to be psychologists. The practice of psychology as defined by this act overlaps with the activities of other professional groups and it is not the intent of this act to regulate the activities of these professional groups.

(2) Individuals certified by the Mississippi State Department of Education may use appropriate titles such as "school psychologist," "certified school psychologist," "educational psychologist" or "psychometrist" only when they are employed by or under contract with a school district and practicing in school or educational settings.

(3) Lecturers from any school or college may utilize their academic or research title when invited to present lectures to institutions or organizations.

This section shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2011.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.