This bill amends several sections of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to allow school boards to employ chaplains, including in a volunteer capacity, to provide various support services to students without requiring them to hold a teaching certificate. The bill defines a chaplain as a clergy member who is licensed, ordained, or endorsed by their religious organization and trained for secular environments. It establishes that the employment of a chaplain does not imply an endorsement of any particular religion and mandates that chaplains undergo a criminal history record check before employment. Additionally, school boards must develop policies regarding the employment and management of chaplains.

The bill also clarifies that the existing regulations regarding teacher and administrator certification do not apply to chaplains, ensuring that their employment does not affect the school board's liability for hiring uncertified personnel. It includes provisions for the State Board of Education to oversee the eligibility of chaplains based on their criminal history. The bill repeals the original sections of the statutes that are being amended, thereby harmonizing the legal framework surrounding the employment of chaplains in Nebraska schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 79-804, 79-805, 79-814.01