Florida lawmakers pass contentious bill allowing for chaplains in public schools

Florida lawmakers Thursday passed a bill allowing volunteer chaplains to provide support services for public K-12 students.

Whether it opens the door to Satanists, those who practice Santería or even worship in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster remains to be seen. The legislation only needs Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature to become law.

Supporters of the bill (HB 931) said it's a win for school children, addressing concerns about youth mental health and the need for more school counselors. 

"I believe that sometimes the issue is with the soul and not of the mind, and that's why I believe that this is a good option for our students in today's day and age," said Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills. The Senate approved the legislation by a 28-12 vote, with all against being Democrats.

Some opponents worried the bill would be a vehicle for Christian nationalism, the belief that the government should favor Christianity or even be replaced by it. Others had constitutional concerns and questions about the credentials of those interacting with minors who may be facing serious mental health crises.

And they warned there could be controversial consequences of opening up the door for religion in schools.

“Are there any prohibitions on what religions can be part of these programs, specifically if someone was a Satanist?” asked Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach.

Bill sponsor Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce, said that because of the First Amendment’s religious freedom protections, the bill wasn’t limiting.

The Satanic Temple has already said its ministers “look forward to participating” in Florida school chaplain programs. If approved, the bill goes into effect July 1.

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Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book of Plantation asked whether religious rituals could be performed in schools. If schools allowed for them, she wondered, could they prevent ones involving animal sacrifices?

“It doesn’t divest the obligations that the school district and those schools already have with regard to overall school safety,” Grall said. “I think that the example you give is just not one that there’s a likelihood or really authorization for within this bill.”

“So then you support limiting the religious rites that could occur in schools?” Book shot back. (When a USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida reporter asked whether Book said “rites” or “rights,” her representative said she meant it as a double entendre.) 

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The exchange, which occurred during Wednesday questioning on the floor, evinces the complexities that arise when religion meets First Amendment-fortified government.

And it will be local school leaders who shoulder the responsibility of figuring it out, if they permit chaplains at all. The bill only authorizes school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy for chaplains “to provide support, services, and programs to students.”  

It requires parental consent before a student meets with a chaplain and says they must undergo background checks first. It also mandates that districts publish a list of the chaplains on its website and for school principals to inform parents about them.

Other than that, most of the rollout of the legislation is left up to school leaders.

"Schools should not be swapping mental health professionals for unlicensed outside adults," said Sen. Rosalind Osgood, D-Tamarac.

But Grall has emphasized that schools can create their own, more extensive requirements on school chaplains, who would then be listed on their websites and picked by parents. On Thursday, she said that the controversy surprised her.

"We've had chaplains in our public institutions for centuries," she said. "Chaplaincy is something that we all have probably had individual and unique experiences."

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com.