HB8 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mark GidleyRepresentative

Republican

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

HB8 would let local school boards opt in to allow campus chaplains to volunteer in public K-12 schools, with training and background checks, to support teachers and students.

What This Bill Does

Authorizes local boards of education and public charter school governing bodies to vote on whether to allow campus chaplains as volunteers in their schools. If the vote is for approval, campus chaplains may be made available to provide services, support, and programs at the request of a teacher. Requires volunteer campus chaplains to complete a recognized chaplain training program and pass a criminal history background check before volunteering, and bans those with sex offender registration from volunteering. The act becomes effective July 1, 2026 and districts may begin the opt-in voting in the 2025-2026 school year; certification by the State Board of Education is not required for chaplains.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education and governing bodies of public charter schools, who may decide by vote whether to allow campus chaplains as volunteers in their district.
• Volunteer campus chaplains, who must meet training and background-check requirements and are barred if they are sex offender registrants.
• Teachers and students in districts that opt in, who may access chaplain-provided services and programs upon request.

Key Provisions

• A recorded vote may be held starting with the 2025-2026 school year to adopt a policy allowing campus chaplains as volunteers.
• If approved, campus chaplains may provide support, services, and programs at the request of a teacher.
• Volunteer chaplains must complete a recognized training program and pass a criminal history background check before volunteering.
• Individuals adjudicated or convicted of sex offender offenses may not volunteer as campus chaplains.
• The act takes effect July 1, 2026 and does not require State Board of Education certification for campus chaplains.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education