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 charter schools will have the authority to vote on whether to adopt a policy permitting the presence of a campus chaplain. If approved, these chaplains can provide support and services at the request of teachers. Notably, campus chaplains are not required to be certified by the State Board of Education but must have completed a recognized chaplain training program.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that any campus chaplain must undergo a criminal history background check and cannot have been convicted of offenses requiring registration as a sex offender. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. The legal language inserted into the bill includes provisions for the acceptance of campus chaplains and the requirements they must meet, while no deletions from current law are specified in the text provided.

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