Multiple States Set To Place Chaplains In Public Schools

Axios reports:

Conservative states are pushing to allow chaplains in public schools, in theory to help solve a persistent shortage of counselors.

Since Texas introduced it own blueprint last year, allowing schools to use safety funds to hire chaplains who do not have the same licensing as counselors, similar bills have ricocheted across more than a dozen states including Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, Utah and Kansas.

Florida’s legislature on Thursday passed a bill that would allow unlicensed chaplains to volunteer at public schools. It will become law in July if Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) doesn’t veto it, which is not expected.

Read the full article. In the case of Texas, the push was backed by an open Christian nationalist who has made clear that his purpose is proselytizing. Behind the bill in Florida [photo above] is a self-proclaimed “tongues-speaking, demon-slaying exorcist” state rep.

Conservative states are pushing to allow chaplains in public schools. This idea of putting religious figures on school grounds has drawn sharp criticism.

• In some bills, parental consent is not required, nor is the level of training typically required. https://t.co/X2FawCU48L

— Axios (@axios) March 11, 2024