HB8 – Allowing Volunteer Chaplains in Public Schools

Background: This bill would authorize each school board to vote on whether to allow schools in their jurisdiction to accept a campus chaplain as a volunteer and, if the vote is in the affirmative, would allow volunteer chaplains to provide services at the request of a teacher.

Our Position: We oppose HB 8. The primary role of chaplains is to provide pastoral or religious counseling to people in spiritual need. Even with the best intentions, uncertified chaplains may provide inappropriate responses or interventions that could harm students. Families and students in our state practice a wide variety of faiths, and many are nonreligious. All should feel welcome in public schools.