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Committee introduces bill allowing optional unpaid chaplains in schools after amending deadline language
Summary
The House Committee on Education voted to introduce RS 32,325, a bill that would let school districts adopt volunteer chaplain programs with criminal background checks; the committee removed a provision that would have required districts to file a decision by a specific date.
Representative Dale Hawkins introduced RS 32,325 on March 13, saying the proposal would allow school districts that choose to do so to have volunteer chaplains available to teachers and students.
The bill would add school chaplains to existing statute language and include criminal background checks for volunteers. Hawkins told the committee the program would be voluntary and “doesn't cost the State any money.”
The issue that drew most of the committee's discussion was a three-line provision (page 2, lines 22–24) that would have required districts to file a decision about adopting the program by a specified date. Representative Mathias asked, “What is the purpose of forcing districts to make a decision by a certain date?” Hawkins replied that he did not see the language as forcing districts, calling it “a filing date so that there's public notice given.”
Several members expressed concern that the deadline language converted a voluntary program into a de facto requirement. Representative Church said the lines “kind of negates the opportunity to make that decision,” and Representative Thais warned that changes could introduce alternate terminology such as “faith leader.” Representative Harris moved to introduce the RS without lines 22–24; after discussion the committee voted to introduce RS 32,325 with those lines deleted.
The committee did not record a roll-call tally for the voice vote; the chair announced the motion carried. The RS will be printed and proceed to the next steps in the legislative process with the stated exceptions.
The bill text as discussed would (1) amend statutory provisions to add school chaplains as a category, (2) require criminal-background checks for chaplains who would have access to school facilities, and (3) specify the scope of chaplain activities in a new subsection. Sponsors said districts and school boards would retain discretion to define chaplains’ duties and locations.
Committee members asked whether school districts already use chaplains; Hawkins said he was unaware of districts that currently have them. Supporters in committee characterized school chaplains as unpaid volunteers similar to fire and police chaplains. Opponents cautioned about separation of church and state: Representative Nelson said she opposed the policy because “it sounds great but 1 of the basic parts to me of our nation is a separation of church and state.”
The RS will move forward for printing and further consideration with lines 22–24 removed; additional amendments are possible in later hearings.
