HF 2073: Authorizing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage volunteer chaplains, to provide services to students

What it does

This bill authorizes school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage volunteer chaplains, to provide support, services, and programs for students. The bill provides that such chaplains are not required to have a license, endorsement, certification, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board of educational examiners.69 when employing chaplains or engaging volunteer chaplains. The bill prohibits school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from requiring or coercing a student to utilize the support, services, or programs provided by a chaplain.

House subcommittee · named January 23, 2024

• Rep. Dan Gehlbach (R) · dan.gehlbach@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Heather Hora (R) · heather.hora@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Monica Kurth (D) · monica.kurth@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 5 for, 9 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Liberty Network; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation

Against: Family Planning Council of Iowa; Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Iowa Mental Health Advocacy; Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association; Iowa Psychological Association; Iowa Safe Schools; League of Women Voters of Iowa; National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter; Rural School Advocates of Iowa

In plain words

1. January 17, 2024Filed in the House and sent to the Education committee
2. January 23, 2024House subcommittee named: Gehlbach, Hora and Kurth
3. January 30, 2024Subcommittee recommended passing it