If enacted, this bill would amend current statutes by adding a new section (15-120.05) to Title 15, Chapter 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, which would authorize school district governing boards and charter school governing bodies to permit volunteer school chaplains to provide various forms of support, services, or programs to students. Each governing body that allows such chaplains would be required to adopt a policy detailing the specific support and services offered, establish procedures for maintaining a list of volunteer chaplains (including their religious affiliations), and ensure that this list is publicly posted on the school's website.

Additionally, the bill would impose requirements on individual schools where volunteer chaplains operate, including notifying parents and guardians about the availability of these services, obtaining written consent from them before a student can participate, and allowing parents to select a chaplain from the provided list. Furthermore, volunteer chaplains would be subject to the same fingerprinting and background check requirements as other school personnel who are not paid employees, as outlined in current law (A.R.S. § 15-512).

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