Senate Bill 305 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

SB305 would let local boards and charter school governing bodies decide to allow volunteer campus chaplains in public K-12 schools, with training and background checks, starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes each local board of education and the governing body of each public charter school to vote on adopting a policy that would allow campus chaplains as volunteers. If the vote passes, campus chaplains could be made available to provide support, services, and programs to teachers upon request. Chaplains must complete a recognized training program and pass a criminal history background check; they are not required to be certified by the State Board of Education. Schools may not accept volunteers who have been adjudicated or convicted of offenses requiring sex offender registration.

Who It Affects

• Students and teachers in districts that opt in, who could receive support or programs from campus chaplains upon teacher request.
• Volunteer campus chaplains and the school districts’ governing bodies, who must ensure training, background checks, and sex-offender restrictions are followed.

Key Provisions

• Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, local boards of education and charter governing bodies may vote to adopt a policy authorizing campus chaplains as volunteers.
• If a district votes in favor, campus chaplains may provide support, services, and programs at the request of teachers.
• Volunteers must complete a recognized chaplain training program; certification by the State Board of Education is not required.
• Before volunteering, campus chaplains must pass a criminal history background check, and schools may not accept volunteers who are sex offenders.
• The act becomes effective July 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 13, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education