HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 174

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; PROVIDING FOR A CAREER LICENSURE FRAMEWORK FOR CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDERS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of the School Personnel Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDERS--MINIMUM SALARIES.--

          A. This section applies to the instructional support providers whose professional duties require a minimum of a bachelor's or master's degree to practice in public schools, including:

                (1) speech and language pathologists and audiologists;

                (2) occupational therapists;

                (3) physical therapists;

                (4) social workers;

                (5) professional and supervisory school nurses;

                (6) school counselors;

                (7) recreational therapists;

                (8) psychologists; and

                (9) diagnosticians.

          B. The department shall establish a professional career licensure framework for instructional support providers as provided in Subsection A of this section. The framework shall be similar to and aligned with the framework established for teachers, with required progressive competencies and duties, evaluations, professional development and comparable salaries relative to training, experience and duties. The department shall work with representatives of each of the professions in establishing the framework.

          C. The department shall make recommendations to the legislative education study committee and the legislative finance committee on the framework and recommended salary ranges for professional instructional support providers by November 1, 2004. The department shall make periodic reports to the legislative education study committee and a final report to that committee, the legislative finance committee and the legislature by November 1, 2005 on the cost of the framework."