Iowa bill allowing chaplains in public schools moves to Senate

The Iowa Senate will consider a bill giving public- and charter-school students access to chaplains as part of overall “services” provided to their communities.

House File 884 passed the state House on a 57-39 vote March 26, despite opposition from Democrats.

“We are talking about a bill that has no consideration for parental consent in having a child meet with a chaplain,” Rep. Elinor Levin, D-Iowa City, told the Iowa Capital Dispatch. “We are talking about a bill that has no consideration for accreditation of a chaplain, training of a chaplain. We are talking about a bill that makes no prohibition on evangelizing within a school building.”

However, the bill’s Republican supporters pointed out local schools would have the authority to set their own training and other requirements for chaplains, who could be volunteers or paid.

“If a school wants to make sure that a chaplain is appropriately credentialed, it is their responsibility to make sure they’re credentialed,” said Rep. Brooke Boden, R-Indianola. “That’s local control. That’s what we gave them in the bill.”

The legislation also emphasizes schools cannot “require or coerce a student to utilize” chaplaincy services or engage chaplains “in lieu of a school counselor or guidance counselor,” according to the article.

Both children and adults who are spiritually active are less likely to suffer from substance abuse and depression, argued Rep. Helena Hayes, R-New Sharon, in favor the bill.

“Chaplains trained to provide spiritual and emotional care – they’re uniquely positioned to apply the findings that I just shared in schools and assist us in fostering healthier, more resilient students and reducing destructive behavior,” she said in referring to research by Dr. Lisa Miller, author of “The Spiritual Child.” 

Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla, R-Pella, agreed.

“Every Iowa school in Iowa should have a chaplain, if that’s what the school district decides on,” she said as floor manager for the bill. “And the usage of chaplains is well documented for impacting lives in a positive direction.”

So far Florida and Texas have passed laws allowing chaplains in public schools. Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota also considered similar measures this year, according to previous reports.

“School counselors who divorce the child from their spirit and soul are deficient, while trained and certified chaplains can provide comprehensive support that treats every child as a divine, unique gift from God,” said Texas Pastors Council President Rev. Dave Welch in 2023. “Chaplaincy support to children seeking counsel is simply a faith-based support that is voluntary for students. The schools most definitely should not discriminate against those students.”