Bill > HF884

This bill allows school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in Iowa to employ chaplains or engage volunteer chaplains to provide services to students. Under the new law, school boards can hire or recruit chaplains to offer support and programs for students, with some important restrictions. Chaplains can serve without compensation and do not need to be licensed by the board of educational examiners. The bill explicitly prohibits schools from requiring students to use chaplain services or from replacing licensed school counselors with chaplains. Schools must still conduct background investigations on chaplains and follow termination procedures as they would for other school employees. School boards have the authority to establish their own qualifications and requirements for chaplains, though they cannot mandate specific professional credentials. This legislation appears designed to provide additional support personnel in schools while maintaining safeguards to protect student choice and ensure basic screening of volunteer chaplains.

Education

Education (House)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF884