Bill > SB1041

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.