The bill allows public K-12 schools and public charter schools in Alabama to accept campus chaplains as volunteers, starting from the 2026-2027 school year. Local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools will have the authority to vote on whether to adopt a policy permitting the acceptance of campus chaplains. If approved, these chaplains can provide support and services at the request of teachers. Notably, while campus chaplains are not required to be certified by the State Board of Education, they must have completed a recognized chaplain training program.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that any campus chaplain must undergo a criminal history background check in compliance with existing laws and cannot be someone who has been adjudicated or convicted of offenses requiring registration as a sex offender. The legal language that is inserted includes provisions for the definition of a public school, the requirements for chaplain training, and the voting process for local boards, while the bill deletes any previous restrictions that may have existed regarding the acceptance of volunteer chaplains. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-22A-5
Engrossed: 16-22A-5