HB179 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mark GidleyRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Campus chaplains; public K-12 schools authorized to hire or accept as volunteers, local boards of education and governing bodies authorized to vote on whether to allow, limitations provided

Summary

The bill would let local school boards decide to allow campus chaplains as volunteers in public K-12 schools, with training and background checks.

What This Bill Does

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, a district or charter board may vote to authorize campus chaplains as volunteers. If approved, chaplains can provide support, services, and programs at the request of a teacher. Each volunteer must complete a recognized chaplain training program and pass a criminal history background check, and cannot be a registered sex offender.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools, who would vote on whether to allow campus chaplains as volunteers in their schools.
• Public school teachers and students, who may receive support services from campus chaplains if the local vote approves it, and whose volunteers must meet training and criminal background requirements.

Key Provisions

• Local boards and charter school governing bodies may vote to adopt a policy allowing campus chaplains as volunteers.
• Volunteer campus chaplains may be made available to provide support, services, and programs at the request of teachers.
• Chaplains must complete a recognized training program and pass a criminal history background check before volunteering; not certified by SBE required.
• Anyone adjudicated or convicted of offenses requiring sex-offender registration cannot volunteer as a campus chaplain.
• The act becomes effective July 1, 2025 (applies to the 2025-2026 school year).
• Schools must ensure compliance with Section 16-22A-5 regarding background checks.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education