Kansas education committee hears competing testimony on bill to allow volunteer school chaplains

The Committee on Education held a hearing on HB 2034, a bill that would authorize Kansas school districts to employ or accept volunteer chaplains to provide support services directed by local boards or designated school administrators. Sponsor Representative Bill Riley said the proposal is permissive and would not create a state-funded payroll obligation.

Supporters argued chaplains could be a non‑clinical layer of support for students and staff. "I believe that if I would have had a chaplain at school that it would have been very beneficial to not only me, but to all students and staff at the school," said Braylen Bullock, a 15‑year‑old who testified as a proponent. Eighth grader Paige Ovato told the committee chaplains could help reduce bullying and anxiety; she noted youth suicide is a leading cause of death among teens and said Kansas rates exceed the national average.

Sponsor Representative Bill Riley (Wellington, 80th District) described chaplains as a listening and support role rather than a teaching or pastoral position, saying, "A chaplain is not a priest, is not a minister. Their role is to have a heart for the people they are working with and to listen to them." The committee reviser summarized the bill’s text: chaplains would not be required to hold a teaching license, would be subject to the same criminal background checks as other district employees, and would be prohibited if required to register as a sex offender.

Opponents raised constitutional and accountability concerns. "We are opposed to this bill because of the constitutional provision for the separation of church and state in our U.S. Constitution," said Leah Fleiter, assistant executive director for advocacy at the Kansas Association of School Boards, who also warned that volunteers might be seen as substitutes for certified counseling staff. Rabbi Moitie Reber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, argued the bill lacks a definition of chaplain, training and supervision requirements and could enable proselytizing or uneven screening. "This bill does not require any of that," he said, referring to the training and credentialing opponents urged.

Witnesses also disputed whether the bill solves a statutory problem. The reviser told the committee he was not aware of any Kansas law that currently prevents a district from allowing volunteer chaplains, and several opponents called the measure a solution in search of a problem. Sponsor Riley and some supporters emphasized local control: school boards would determine whether to adopt chaplains, set any screening or training expectations, and decide whether positions are volunteer or paid.

Several members asked whether the bill should include training or certification requirements. Representative Jason Getz and others said putting minimum training in the bill would provide stronger protections for students and districts; Riley and proponents replied that the bill intentionally leaves those decisions to local boards and that some chaplain certification programs exist but are not mandated in the draft.

Supporters from rural districts and faith communities said chaplains can help staff retention and bring community resources into schools. Luke Schreiber, a youth minister who testified in favor, said he sees chaplaincy as "an extra layer of care" for teachers and staff that can indirectly benefit students.

No formal vote or amendment was taken during the hearing. The chair closed testimony after the last conferee and moved on to committee scheduling and a planned joint session on literacy later in the week.

What’s next: HB 2034 received public testimony at this hearing; the committee did not vote and did not calendar an immediate floor action during the session. If the committee advances the bill, members indicated possible amendments could add training or screening language or make other clarifications.