The proposed bill would amend current statutes by allowing school district governing boards and charter school governing bodies to authorize volunteer school chaplains to provide various forms of support, services, or programs to students. Each governing body that permits this 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 mandates that volunteer chaplains meet specific qualifications, including background checks and educational requirements, before being included on the list.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities of individual schools in notifying parents about the availability of chaplain services, obtaining written consent for student participation, and allowing parents to select a chaplain from the provided list. It also grants principals the authority to refuse inclusion of any volunteer chaplain who does not meet the established criteria or if their involvement is deemed contrary to the school's pedagogical interests. Overall, the bill aims to formalize the role of volunteer chaplains in schools while ensuring compliance with educational standards and parental consent.

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