House Bill 504

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL BOARDS TO EMPLOY AND FIX THE COMPENSATION OF LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS AND LICENSED PSYCHOLOGISTS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOLS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT EMPLOYS AT LEAST ONE SOCIAL WORKER OR PSYCHOLOGIST FOR EVERY ONE THOUSAND STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOLS OF THE DISTRICT IS ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR FIFTY PERCENT OF THE COST OF THE SALARY OF EACH SOCIAL WORKER OR PSYCHOLOGIST FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The school board of a school district may employ and fix the compensation of licensed social workers and licensed psychologists to provide services to the students in the schools of the school district, as determined by the superintendent of the district.

(2) A school district that employs at least one (1) social worker or psychologist per every one thousand (1,000) students enrolled in the schools of the district is eligible for reimbursement for fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the salary of each such social worker or psychologist from the State Department of Education. The superintendent of any school district that is eligible for the reimbursement under this section shall apply to the State Department of Education for the reimbursement in a manner prescribed by the department. After receipt of an application for reimbursement and any information that may be required by the department, the department shall pay to the school district an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the salary of each social worker or psychologist for whom the district is eligible to be reimbursed. In making reimbursements to school districts for employing social workers and psychologists, the department may use any funds specifically made available for that purpose.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.