Bill

Bill > HB659


MS HB659

MS HB659
Public schools; allow to employ or accept the service of chaplains.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Allow School Districts And Charter Schools To Employ Or Accept As A Volunteer, A Chaplain To Provide Support, Services And Programs With The School District Or Charter School; To Require Each School District Or Charter Employing Or Allowing A Chaplain To Provide Services To Its Students To Undergo A Criminal Background Check Before Entering The Schools To Carry Out Their Obligations; To Prohibit School Districts And Charter Schools From Employing Or Allowing Individuals Who Are Required To Register As Sex Offenders From Providing Services Within Its Schools; To Amend Section 37-3-93, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require A Quick Response Team Of Personnel Trained In School Safety And Crisis Management By The State Department Of Education To Include Chaplains; To Amend Section 37-7-301, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Local School Districts To Fund And Operate Improved School Safety And Security Measures, Including Costs Associated With Training And Planning And Programs Provided By Chaplains; To Amend Section 37-11-54, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Local School Boards To Incorporate Evidence-based Practices And Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports Which Include Services Provided By Chaplains; To Provide For The Severability Of Provisions Of This Act Which May Be Deemed Unconstitutional; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill allows public school districts and charter schools in Mississippi to employ or accept chaplains as volunteers to provide support services and programs to students, with the stipulation that these chaplains must undergo a criminal background check and cannot be individuals required to register as sex offenders. It also mandates that school districts and charter schools must vote by December 1, 2026, on whether to adopt a policy allowing chaplains. Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to include chaplains in the state's quick response teams for school safety and crisis management, requires local school districts to fund improved school safety measures that can include chaplain services, and mandates that local school boards incorporate chaplain services into evidence-based practices and positive behavioral intervention supports for students. The bill also includes a severability clause, meaning if any part of the act is found unconstitutional, the rest will remain in effect, and it will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...