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Committee recommends 'do not pass' on interstate compact for school psychologists (SB 2341)
Summary
The Industry, Business and Labor Committee voted to recommend a "do not pass" on Senate Bill 2,341, an interstate compact to ease licensure portability for school psychologists, after members raised questions about timing, parental notification and the state standards board's concerns. The motion passed 9-3.
Senators and representatives on the Industry, Business and Labor Committee voted to recommend a "do not pass" on Senate Bill 2,341, the interstate compact for school psychologists, following a lengthy discussion about licensure portability, telehealth and parental notification.
Senator Axman, sponsor of SB 2341, told the committee that joining the compact as one of the first seven states gives North Dakota a seat at rule-making tables and would increase visibility for out-of-state psychologists offering telehealth to North Dakota students. "Being 1 of the first 7 comes with great benefits for an early adopter," Axman said, adding that historical patterns show fees for compacts are often "nothing or incredibly minimal." She said the compact is opt-in for licensees and that current North Dakota licensees could decline a compact credential and keep their state license.
The bill’s supporters said the compact could expand access in small districts that contract for psychology services and make it easier for military spouses who hold licenses elsewhere to work in the state. Axman told the committee that "we right now only have 8 out of state school psychologists who have chosen to do a license in North Dakota," and that compact membership could increase that number.
Committee members pressed sponsors on how the compact would affect contracted versus on-site psychologists, differences between school psychologists and other clinical psychologists, and the boundary between counselor and psychologist responsibilities. Representative Brown raised concerns about parental oversight for students who see school-based psychologists; Representative Casper asked who would represent North Dakota in drafting compact rules. Axman said the State Board of Psychology would work with the organized school psychologists association to select representatives.
Members also flagged caution from the Education Standards and Practice Board (ESPB). Axman acknowledged that ESPB had testified with reservations, saying the compact is not yet active and some rule and fee details remain unsettled. "I understand their hesitation when it's not live and we don't have the set fees and we don't have the, rules fully in place," she said, while noting psychologists had asked to go early to help shape the rules with the Council of State Governments (CSG).
Representative Koppelman moved a recommendation of "do not pass." Representative Schatz seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion on a roll call vote, 9 to 3.
The committee discussion also recorded a brief exchange about the compact's preemption language. Casper queried language on page 21 indicating state laws could not conflict with compact provisions; Axman described that language as standard compact wording intended to protect uniform licensure standards across member states.
The committee also discussed the hypothetical concern of a compact rule that might let psychologists counsel students without notifying parents. Axman said that practice would not be typical compact rulemaking; rule-making, she said, is expected to cover administrative and fee issues rather than clinical practice rules.
The committee asked Representative Greenberg, who had opposed the recommendation, whether she would carry the item. The transcript records the chair asking Greenberg if she would carry it, and the chair moved to take a recess.
Votes at a glance: Motion: "Do not pass" SB 2341; mover: Representative Koppelman; second: Representative Schatz; tally: yes 9, no 3; outcome: committee recommends do not pass.
Why it matters: Supporters said compact membership could increase telehealth availability and simplify licensure for military spouses; opponents and the state standards board said timing and unresolved rule and fee details counsel caution. The committee’s recommendation does not terminate the bill; it advances the committee’s position to the next step in the legislative process.
The committee recessed after the vote and later took up other bills.
