The proposed bill would amend current statutes by allowing school district governing boards and charter school governing bodies to permit volunteer school chaplains to provide various forms of support, services, and programs to students. Each governing body that opts to allow volunteer chaplains must adopt a policy that outlines the specific support and services provided, procedures for maintaining a list of approved chaplains, and requirements for parental notification and consent. The bill also mandates that the list of volunteer chaplains include their religious affiliations and be posted on the school's website.

Additionally, the bill establishes specific qualifications for volunteer school chaplains, including background checks, educational requirements, and experience in religious service. It allows school principals to refuse to include any chaplain who does not meet these qualifications or if their involvement is deemed contrary to the school's pedagogical interests. Definitions for terms such as "chaplain," "local religious group," and "religious group" are also provided to clarify the scope of the legislation. Overall, the bill aims to formalize the role of volunteer chaplains in schools while ensuring compliance with educational standards and parental involvement.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-120.05
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-120.05
House Engrossed Version: 15-120.05