Religious Chaplains in Public Schools (SB 138)

While this bill failed, similar language may reappear later this session as an amendment or be reintroduced in a future session.

SB 138 would let public schools and charter schools hire, or approve as volunteers, school chaplains who meet specified education background requirements. Chaplains would provide secular guidance and support to students and staff. They could also provide nonsecular services with permission from the student and, in the case of minors, a parent.

This bill would violate important separation of church and state constitutional protections. Chaplains are religious advisers by definition. School counselors are trained to provide secular support for students. Chaplains are not. Placing them in an official role inside public schools — whether paid or voluntary — creates an environment ripe for religious coercion and indoctrination, especially in a school setting where authority dynamics are unavoidable.