ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2982

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: JUNE 9, 1997

 

      The Assembly Education Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 2982.

      This bill amends the licensing acts for psychologists (N.J.S.A.45:14B-1 et seq.) and social workers (N.J.S.A.45:15BB-1 et seq.) to provide that a person certified as a school psychologist or a school social worker by the Department of Education may perform services on behalf of a local school district to students for whom the school district is responsible to provide services. The bill amends current law so that local boards of education may utilize the services of certified, but unlicensed, school psychologists and social workers, who are employed either individually or by a private contractor. The district will be authorized to use such individuals to provide psychological and social work services to supplement the services which are provided by psychologists and social workers who are employed directly by the district. This will provide school districts with increased options in providing services to public and nonpublic school students.