Bill > SB49

This bill authorizes school districts and charter schools in Missouri to employ chaplains or accept them as screened volunteers to provide support and services for students, with several key stipulations. The bill requires that chaplains must be members of a Department of Defense listed religious-endorsing organization recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, and they cannot be employed in positions requiring a teaching certificate unless they are already certified teachers. Before beginning work, chaplains must undergo a criminal background check, and schools are prohibited from employing chaplains who are registered sex offenders. A "screened volunteer" is a legally defined term referring to a volunteer who has been vetted through specific background check procedures. The bill adds a new section to Missouri's existing school-related statutes, providing a legal framework for the integration of chaplains into school support systems while establishing clear guidelines to ensure student safety and appropriate professional boundaries.

Education, Government Affairs

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=368