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Senate education committee advances bill allowing school chaplains after heated testimony
Summary
The Senate Education Committee voted 8–6 to pass SB 525, which would permit school districts or public charter schools to adopt paid or volunteer school chaplains; proponents argued chaplains fill counseling gaps in rural districts, while opponents said the measure risks replacing licensed counselors and raises constitutional concerns.
Senate Education Committee members voted to advance Senate Bill 525 on party-line and bipartisan questions after more than two hours of testimony and questioning. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Therese Manzella, would allow local school districts and public charter schools to adopt policies enabling paid or volunteer school chaplains to provide specified supports and services.
Proponents said chaplains can expand supports where licensed counselors are scarce. Johnny Davis, chief development officer for the National School Chaplain Association, told the committee, "Chaplaincy isn't a new or experimental idea" and described chaplains' training in crisis intervention and referrals. Matt…
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