This bill amends Section 33-130 of the Idaho Code to expand the scope of individuals subject to criminal history checks for school district employees. The revised language specifies that criminal history checks will now include school chaplains, in addition to certificated and noncertificated employees, applicants for certificates, substitute staff, and individuals with unsupervised contact with students. The bill also establishes a new section, 33-1212B, which allows school districts and public charter schools to employ or accept volunteers as school chaplains to provide support and services to students, staff, and parents.

Under the new provisions, school districts and charter schools can set their own selection criteria for chaplains and are not required to have them certified or credentialed by the state department of education. However, school chaplains must still undergo the same criminal history checks as other school employees. The bill declares an emergency, making it effective on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 33-130