Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the employment of school chaplains in Iowa.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the employment of religious school chaplains in Iowa (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes public schools in Iowa, including charter schools, may employ a chaplain, or engage a chaplain to serve without compensation or remuneration, to provide support, services, and programs for students as assigned by the board of directors of the school district (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that chaplains may not be hired or engaged in place of a school counselor or qualified guidance counselor (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that schools may establish qualifications, credentialing, and other requirements related to chaplains who are employed or engaged according to this section (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits school boards from requiring chaplains to have a license, endorsement, certification, authorization, or statement of recognition from the Board of Educational Examiners (Sec. 1).

• Requires that chaplains undergo background checks (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the school district from requiring or coercing a student to use a chaplain's services (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text