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GA SB325
GA SB325Education; local school systems and public schools to employ or accept as volunteers school chaplains; authorize
summary
Introduced
03/05/2025
03/05/2025
In Committee
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Code Section 20-2-182 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to program weights to reflect funds for payment of salaries and benefits, maximum class size, reporting requirements, and application to specific school years, so as to authorize local school systems and public schools to employ or accept as volunteers school chaplains; to provide that school chaplains shall provide support, services, and programs for students as assigned; to authorize school chaplains to be employed or accepted as volunteers in addition to or in lieu of school counselors and to authorize school chaplains to perform duties of school counselors; to provide that school chaplains need not be certificated professional personnel; to require local boards of education to vote in public on whether to authorize school chaplains; to amend Code Section 19-15-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions concerning child abuse, so as to include school chaplains in the definition of "child protection professional"; to amend Code Section 49-5-41 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to persons and agencies permitted access to records, so as to authorize school chaplains to review records of reports of child abuse; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill allows local school systems and public schools in Georgia to employ or accept school chaplains as volunteers, potentially replacing or supplementing school counselors, without requiring them to be professionally certified. The legislation expands the definition of "child protection professional" to include school chaplains and grants them access to certain student records. Under the bill, local school boards must vote publicly by December 31, 2025, on whether to authorize school chaplains, who can provide support, services, and programs for students as assigned by school superintendents or governing bodies. School chaplains will be permitted to perform duties traditionally assigned to school counselors, and they are not required to meet the same professional certification standards as traditional school counselors. The bill aims to provide schools with additional personnel to support student needs, potentially offering a more spiritually-oriented counseling approach. The legislation will take effect upon approval by the Governor or becoming law without such approval, and it explicitly repeals any conflicting laws.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (10)
John Albers (R)*,
Max Burns (R)*,
Drew Echols (R)*,
Steve Gooch (R)*,
Marty Harbin (R)*,
Mike Hodges (R)*,
Colton Moore (R)*,
Randy Robertson (R)*,
Larry Walker (R)*,
Rick Williams (R)*,
Last Action
Senate Read and Referred (on 03/06/2025)
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.ga.gov/legislation/71182 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/235328 |
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