This article was originally published in Florida Phoenix. Come July 1, school districts in Florida could authorize volunteer chaplains — those who are religious or not and with no training — to provide support and services for students in public schools, though GOP-controlled legislatures across the country are rejecting similar proposals. Last year, Texas passed […]
By now, the pattern should be familiar to Gov. Ron DeSantis. In recent years, the Florida Republican, eager to advance his far-right vision and impress his party’s base, has picked a series of legally dubious culture war fights. They invariably lead to lawsuits, which DeSantis’ administration tends to lose. Keep this in mind when reading […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a measure that will authorize school districts to allow volunteer school chaplains to provide services to students, amid opposition from the American Civil Liberties Union. Speaking at a high school in Osceola County alongside Republican allies and a local pastor, the governor touted the measure (HB 931) as bolstering […]
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A bill making its way through the Oklahoma State Capitol would allow public schools in the state to hire religious chaplains to counsel and work with their students. Recently updated language to Oklahoma Senate Bill 36 (SB36), introduced to the Oklahoma House of Representatives this week, would allow a public school […]
Florida students could soon have the option to visit and receive counsel from volunteer religious chaplains if Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a new bill that has already passed the House and Senate. Senate Bill 1044 (and HB 931) aims to address students’ mental health needs by allowing school districts and charters to establish volunteer programs […]
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lawmakers in more than a dozen states have proposed legislation to allow spiritual chaplains in public schools, a move that proponents say will ease a youth mental health crisis, bolster staff retention and offer spiritual care to students who can’t afford or access religious schools. Conservatives also argue religious foundations […]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida school districts could opt to allow volunteer chaplains in schools under a bill the Legislature sent to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis over the objections of opponents who argued that religion should be kept out of schools. Supporters argued the legislation will provide another resource for children and pointed to chaplains […]
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Florida is on the verge of becoming the latest state to embrace chaplains on school campuses as similar proposals gain momentum across the country. Initially proposed in Texas, several conservative-leaning states including Florida, Oklahoma, and Kansas this year are turning to chaplains seeking a potential “alternative to mental health counselors” for students. […]
A Florida bill that would allow chaplains to provide counseling services to public school students is gaining traction — and opposition — in the Legislature. The bill (SB 1044) would give schools districts and charter schools an option to use volunteer chaplains to provide counseling and other services to students. Supporters say chaplains would help […]
Chaplains may soon be allowed to counsel children in Indiana public schools under a new Senate Bill that would allow school districts to hire clergy. Senate Bill 50, authored by Sen. Stacy Donato, R-Logansport, moved through the Senate’s education committee Wednesday with a 9-4 vote. Donato’s bill would allow public school districts and charter schools […]