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House passes bill letting local education agencies permit volunteer school chaplains amid constitutional concerns
Summary
The Utah House passed HB 5 14 to allow local education agencies to adopt policies for volunteer school chaplains; supporters framed it as an opt-in support resource, while opponents warned of constitutional risks, potential replacement of counselors and unclear mandatory-reporting rules.
The Utah House on Feb. 23 passed HB 5 14, a bill that lets local education agencies (LEAs) create an opt‑in process to allow volunteer school chaplains in schools, after floor debate that split lawmakers over constitutional and child‑safety concerns.
Sponsor Representative Stratton said the bill creates a local, voluntary process for LEAs to adopt qualifications, election procedures and experience requirements for a volunteer chaplain program and that it is an additional resource, not a replacement for professional counselors. "If we take the creator out…
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