Senate Bill No. introduced by T. Manzella authorizes school districts and public charter schools in Montana to employ paid or volunteer school chaplains to provide various supports, services, and programs to students. The bill mandates that each school district or charter school must adopt a policy outlining the roles and responsibilities of school chaplains, which includes informing parents about the available services and obtaining written consent for student participation. Additionally, the bill establishes eligibility requirements for school chaplains, including a background check and a minimum age of 18, as well as the necessity for chaplains to be certified by the superintendent of public instruction.

Furthermore, the bill requires that a list of school chaplains, along with their religious affiliations, be published on the respective school district or charter school website. It also allows for school chaplains to be engaged in place of school counselors, thereby expanding the support options available to students. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and is intended to be codified as part of Title 20, chapter 7, part 13 of Montana law.