CA SCR89

Commends California State Chaplains for over 60 years of service in state institutions including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Developmental Services, State Department of State Hospitals, and Department of Veterans Affairs

Recognizes the Associated Chaplains in California State Service, established in 1967, for efforts to unite faith communities and maintain professional chaplaincy standards

Acknowledges chaplains' roles in providing spiritual counseling, crisis management, religious expression opportunities, and volunteer supervision to inmates, patients, and wards in state institutions

Notes that chaplains are ecclesiastically endorsed by their faith groups and receive specialized training to address complex needs including spiritual development, grief management, and behavior modification

Affirms the constitutional rights of institutionalized persons to practice religion freely and recognize religion's importance in treatment and rehabilitation efforts