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

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedFebruary 12, 2025
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 17, 2025
3. ✓
   Done: House committeeMarch 4, 2025
4. ✓
   Done: Passes the HouseMarch 26, 202557–39
5. ✓
   Done: Senate committeeApril 7, 2025
6. ✕
   Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
7. Next: To the Governor
8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

Amendments · 6

1 adopted · 0 failed · 4 never voted on. Newest first.

• S-3130 · filed April 23, 2025 by Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D)

  AI summary This amendment adds a rule that school districts must get written consent from a parent or guardian before a student can have any contact or interaction with a chaplain. This consent must be provided before the start of each school year and must cover both individual and group settings. Its wording →
  Never voted on
• S-3129 · filed April 23, 2025 by Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D)

  AI summary This amendment adds a rule that chaplains working in schools are not allowed to try to convert students to a specific religion while on school property. Its wording →
  Never voted on
• S-3128 · filed April 23, 2025 by Sen. Janet Petersen (D)

  AI summary This amendment adds a rule that school boards must have the board of educational examiners conduct a thorough background check on any chaplain before they are hired or used as a volunteer. This process includes checking state and federal criminal records, sex offender registries, and child and adult abuse registries. Its wording →
  Never voted on
• S-3068 · filed April 7, 2025 by

  AI summary This amendment adds a requirement that a chaplain must hold a certification from a nationally recognized professional organization to work in a school district. This certification must include specific training in school safety, specialized school environment training, background investigations, at least 2,000 hours of ministerial service, and letters of endorsement. Its wording →
  Never voted on
• H-1150 · filed March 20, 2025 by

  AI summary This amendment adds specific education and experience requirements for school chaplains. To qualify, a chaplain must have a bachelor's degree with at least 120 semester hours, a master's degree or higher in theological or religious studies with at least 72 semester hours, and experience in pastoral ministry leadership. Its wording →
  Withdrawn
  March 26, 2025
• H-1129 · filed March 19, 2025 by

  AI summary This amendment adds a rule that school boards cannot hire a chaplain to replace a licensed school counselor or guidance counselor. It also clarifies that school boards are prohibited from requiring or forcing a student to use the services provided by a chaplain. Its wording →
  Adopted
  March 26, 2025