IN SB0138

Principals or superintendents of public schools and charter schools may employ or approve school chaplains as volunteers, effective July 1, 2026

School chaplains must pass criminal background and child protection checks, have no disqualifying convictions, and hold either a bachelor's degree in divinity/theology/religious studies with 4 years counseling experience, or a master's degree in those fields with 2 years experience

Chaplains may provide secular advice and support to any student or employee, but may only provide religious (nonsecular) guidance with explicit permission from adult students, employees, or both parent and student for unemancipated minors

Student communications with school chaplains are designated as privileged and confidential, with exceptions requiring disclosure to a school counselor if communications involve self-harm or intent to harm others

School chaplain-student communications are added to existing privileged communication categories in juvenile proceedings related to child abuse or neglect reports