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House rolls school‑chaplain bill after questions on credentialing and inclusion
Summary
Representative Mayberry introduced House Bill 1250 to allow credentialed volunteer chaplains in local schools; members questioned who qualifies as 'credentialed' and whether multiple faiths would be served. The sponsor rolled the bill one week to clarify standards and answer outstanding concerns.
Representative Mayberry explained House Bill 1250 would allow local school boards and charter schools to employ or accept credentialed volunteer chaplains to provide campus support, with volunteers subject to the same background checks as teachers and other school volunteers. In response to multiple questions about scope and safeguards, Mayberry said chaplains must be "credentialed by a religious organization" and that local school boards would set qualifications and provide oversight. Members asked whether parents could opt students into chaplain services; the sponsor said participation would be subject to parental opt‑in.
The floor exchanged questions on whether the bill's language would allow chaplains from any faith, how a school determines that an organization is "established" or "credentialed," and whether limiting a chaplain to one per school could leave minority faith students without access. Representative Fritz asked directly, "Would this allow Muslim chaplains in schools?"—the sponsor responded that local school boards would make those determinations under local control. After extended questioning, Representative Mayberry announced, "I'm gonna roll this bill 1 week," and the body agreed to roll the item to provide additional information and revisions.
