New program to allow ministry to happen in Florida schools
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill this week allowing Florida school districts to consider the inclusion of volunteer chaplains for student counseling, as reported by the Associated Press. Florida joins Texas who passed a similar law in late 2023 allowing chaplains to minister in public schools.
Under the new law effective July 1, volunteer chaplains must pass a background check and have their names and religious affiliations listed on the school’s website. Their role would involve offering support, services, and programs to students as directed by the district school board. However, participation in this program is voluntary both for schools and students, with parental permission being a requisite if students choose to engage with a chaplain.
DeSantis emphasized the voluntary nature of the program, stating that schools are not obligated to have chaplains nor are students required to seek their assistance. He argued against excluding religious groups from campuses, calling it a form of discrimination and asserting that it implies a lack of place for God in these spaces.
Florida joins Texas and other states in the effort to bring God back to schools
This move places Florida among over a dozen states that have explored implementing school chaplain programs, following Texas, which established such a program through legislation in 2023. Proponents of the Florida bill claim it offers an additional resource for children, drawing parallels to chaplains’ roles in other government settings such as working with law enforcement and serving in the military. They also note existing chaplaincy practices within the state, such as the Legislature’s inclusion of a chaplain of the day during sessions and the presence of a non-denominational chapel in the state Capitol.
Chaplains have a rich history of serving in various sectors, including the military, police, and fire departments, prisons, and faith-based schools across the nation. The National School Chaplain Association (NSCA), headquartered in Oklahoma, operates in more than 22,000 faith-based schools across 23 countries. According to NSCA, the primary goal of a school chaplain is to offer “spiritual care” to students and educators, especially in the face of prevalent issues like violence, bullying, and mental health challenges.
NSCA asserts that schools with chaplains have experienced notable reductions in violence and bullying incidents, lower dropout rates, and enhancements in school safety, teacher retention rates, and academic performance.
Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “Florida joins Texas as one of the first states in the nation to officially allow chaplains in public schools. Trained chaplains have been the traditional ‘spiritual’ first responders in our military, and they can make a positive difference in the lives of students and teachers. While the law does not stipulate any qualification requirements for the chaplains, school boards should be very selective in choosing trained chaplains with counseling and ministry experience.”
