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Bill > HF334
IA HF334
IA HF334A bill for an act authorizing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage volunteer chaplains, to provide services to students.(See HF 884.)
summary
Introduced
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
In Committee
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill authorizes school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage volunteer chaplains, to provide support, services, and programs for students. The bill provides that such chaplains are not required to have a license, endorsement, certification, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board of educational examiners. The bill requires school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to follow the background investigation and termination procedures established under Code section 279.69 when employing chaplains or engaging volunteer chaplains. The bill prohibits school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from requiring or coercing a student to utilize the support, services, or programs provided by a chaplain.
AI Summary
This bill allows school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in Iowa to employ or engage volunteer chaplains to provide support and services to students, with several key provisions. The bill permits these educational institutions to hire chaplains without requiring them to have any professional licensing or certification from the board of educational examiners. While chaplains can be paid employees or volunteers, they must undergo the same background investigation and termination procedures that apply to other school personnel. The bill explicitly prohibits schools from mandating or pressuring students to use chaplain services, ensuring that student participation remains voluntary. This legislation expands the potential support systems within schools by introducing chaplains as a new resource for students, though the specific nature of their services is not detailed in the bill text. The provisions apply equally to traditional school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, creating a uniform framework for potential chaplain involvement across different types of educational institutions in the state.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Withdrawn. H.J. 871. (on 03/31/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF334 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF334.html |
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