Psychologists; extend repealer on licensure law related to.
SB2731 extends the sunset date for Mississippi’s psychologist licensure law from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2029, and reenacts the statutory framework governing the Mississippi Board of Psychology. In doing so, it preserves the state’s system for licensing, renewing, disciplining, and regulating psychologists, including education, examination, background check, continuing education, reciprocity, temporary practice, telepsychology, and emeritus status provisions.
The bill also updates the board’s structure by expanding membership from seven to nine members and authorizing the Governor to appoint two additional members with staggered terms. The measure retains the board’s authority over fees, investigations, disciplinary actions, injunctions against unlicensed practice, and public records, while also continuing provisions that recognize telehealth and interjurisdictional practice under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
The bill primarily affects Title 73, Chapter 31 of the Mississippi Code by extending the repeal date and reenacting the psychologist licensure article, thereby preventing the regulatory scheme from expiring in 2025. It preserves existing licensing standards and enforcement powers for the Mississippi Board of Psychology, while enlarging the board and maintaining related provisions for telepsychology, temporary practice, reciprocity, criminal penalties for unlicensed practice, and confidentiality of client communications. Psychologists, applicants, and the board itself are the main parties affected.
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the Senate passed the bill 51-0, the House passed it as amended 119-0, and the Senate concurred in the House amendments 41-0. With no committee transcript available, the overall sentiment appears broadly favorable and noncontroversial, reflecting routine continuation of professional licensure regulation rather than a major policy shift.
No notable substantive contention is reflected in the available record. The only apparent policy changes are administrative and regulatory in nature, especially the expansion of the board from seven to nine members and the continuation of existing licensure and enforcement rules. Because the bill passed each chamber unanimously and there are no committee discussion snippets, there is no evidence of organized opposition or disputed provisions in the materials provided.