This bill establishes a new section in South Dakota law that allows public schools to authorize individuals to serve as school chaplains, either as volunteers or employees. It mandates that each school district's board implement a policy outlining the application process, minimum qualifications for applicants, and the types of services or support that chaplains may provide. Additionally, the policy must be transparent, requiring the school district to publish a list of chaplains and their religious affiliations on its website. Importantly, the policy ensures that student participation in chaplain services is voluntary and prohibits chaplains from having any disciplinary or supervisory authority over students.

To ensure the safety and integrity of the school environment, the bill requires that individuals applying to be school chaplains undergo the same criminal background checks as other school district employees. It also specifies that individuals with certain criminal convictions—including those involving moral turpitude, violence, sex offenses, or narcotics trafficking—are ineligible to serve as chaplains. These provisions aim to create a supportive environment while maintaining strict standards for those who work with students in a chaplaincy role.