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Lawmakers press sponsor on school chaplain credentials; House rolls HB 1250 for one week
Summary
Representative Mayberry introduced HB 1250 to allow local school boards and charter schools to employ credentialed volunteer chaplains with background checks. Members pressed the sponsor on what counts as a 'credentialed' or 'established' religious organization; the bill was rolled one week for further clarification.
Representative Mayberry told the House that House Bill 1250 "allows local school boards and charter schools to employ or accept volunteer chaplains to provide campus support," saying chaplains must be credentialed by a legitimate religious organization and pass background checks similar to other school personnel. "This is not an open door policy for anybody just to come through," Mayberry said, noting local school boards would set qualifications and oversight.
Members asked detailed questions about credentialing, whether chaplains could be from minority faiths and how a school board would determine whether an organization is "established." Representative Fritz asked whether Muslim chaplains could serve under the bill's terms; Mayberry responded that local boards determine appropriateness and that chaplains must be credentialed by recognized religious organizations. Representative Martin and others pressed on what counts as "credentialed" or "established," and whether online ordination would qualify; the sponsor said a website ordination would not meet the intended standard. After extended questioning, Representative Mayberry announced he would roll the bill for one week to provide additional information and address members' concerns.
What's next: The bill was rolled one week by unanimous consent (no objection recorded), so HB 1250 will return to the calendar after the sponsor provides the requested clarifications.
