New legislation would let public schools in Arkansas offer chaplain services.
S.B. 266 by Sen. Jim Dotson (R — Bentonville) and Rep. Harlan Breaux (R — Holiday Island) clarifies that public schools can adopt policies letting chaplains serve public school students and their families as well as public school employees.
The bill does not require public schools to provide chaplain services, but it does clarify that schools are free to adopt policies making chaplain services available if they want.
Under S.B. 266, school chaplains would be members of the clergy who serve as volunteers or as employees of the school district. Chaplains would be required to pass a background check, and students would not be able to receive chaplain services without parental consent.
America has a longstanding tradition of recognizing the valuable services that chaplains provide. In Arkansas, county sheriff offices employ chaplains to provide spiritual support to employees and to inmates. Hospitals like UAMS provide chaplain services to patients, employees, and their families.
Public schools should have the same freedom to make chaplain services available to their students, employees, and families as well. S.B. 266 is a good bill that will help do that.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
