HF 334: 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 February 17, 2025

• Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla (R) · barb.kniffmcculla@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Helena Hayes (R) · helena.hayes@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Elinor A. Levin (D) · elinor.levin@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 4 for, 21 against

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

Against: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Common Good Iowa; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Iowa ACEs 360; Iowa Association of School Boards; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa Mental Health Advocacy; Iowa School Counselors Association; Iowa School Psychologists Association; Iowa School Social Workers Association; and 9 more

In plain words

1. February 12, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Education committee
2. February 17, 2025House subcommittee named: Kniff McCulla, Hayes and Levin
3. February 25, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. March 4, 2025Approved by the House committee
5. March 4, 2025Committee vote: 14–9
6. March 7, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 884
7. March 31, 2025Withdrawn