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TN SB1041

TN SB1041
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to school chaplains.


summary

Introduced
02/05/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

114th General Assembly

Bill Summary

As introduced, authorizes a local board of education and public charter school governing body to employ or accept as a volunteer a school chaplain to provide support, services, and programs for students, school staff, and students' parents. - Amends TCA Title 49.

AI Summary

This bill allows local school boards and public charter school governing bodies in Tennessee to hire or accept volunteer school chaplains to offer support, services, and programs to students, staff, and parents. A school chaplain, defined as a credentialed member of the clergy who can operate in a diverse setting and support religious freedom for everyone in schools, will not need state certification. However, these chaplains must still pass required criminal history background checks. The bill also provides immunity from lawsuits for school chaplains for actions or statements made while acting within their role, unless those actions were malicious, willful, and intended to cause harm or harass.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee (on 03/04/2026)

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