Tennessee Bill Allowing School Chaplains Passes House Committee, Will Go To Full House

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

A bill which allows schools to hire or accept volunteer chaplains unanimously passed the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and will now proceed to the full House for a vote.

HB1250 would allow a local board of education or public charter school to employ or accept as a volunteer a “member of the clergy who is credentialed by a religious organization to function in a pluralistic environment and support, directly or indirectly, the free exercise of religion by all individuals in schools.”

The chaplain’s function would be “to provide support, services, and programs for students, school staff, and students’ parents,” and they would not have to be certified by the state board of education, though they would be required to undergo any relevant background checks and investigations.

Chaplains would also be protected from lawsuits so long as any of their actions or statements were not “taken or made maliciously, willfully, or deliberately intended to cause harm or harass or intimidate those seeking support, services, and programs from the school chaplain.”

Bill sponsor Aron Maberry (R-Clarksville-District 68) clarified to the committee that chaplains would have to receive permission, like a waiver, from a student’s parent to interact directly with or “proselytize” to students and that those rules would be set by each local school board.

HB1250 passed the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 26-0, and has been referred to the House Calendar and Rules Committee to secure a date for a full House vote. 

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.