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 stipulates that chaplains can offer academic, career, emotional, and behavioral health support, and emphasizes that their employment does not imply an endorsement of any specific religion. Additionally, the bill mandates that chaplains undergo a criminal history record check before employment and that school boards develop policies regarding the employment and management of chaplains.

The bill also includes specific provisions that exempt chaplains from certain regulations that apply to teachers and administrators, such as the requirement for certification and the liability of school boards for employing uncertified individuals. It clarifies that the criminal history checks will also apply to chaplains and outlines the process for denying employment based on criminal history. Overall, the bill aims to expand the support available to students in schools while ensuring that appropriate checks and policies are in place for chaplain employment.

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