Texas legislators passed the “School Chaplaincy Act” which was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 18th, 2023. Since then, over a dozen other states are poised to follow. Florida introduced a similar bill on December 22. School chaplaincy has overwhelming parent support and endorsements from grassroots organizations such as Ben Carson’s Institute and Moms for America. Legislation is teed up in states from Louisiana to Pennsylvania.
Additionally, independent school district boards are required to give an up or down vote in support of chaplains. To date, most of the school boards in Texas, who have voted, are in support of school chaplains.
Oklahoma legislators have already introduced the bill and will be voting in March. Governor Kevin Stitt has endorsed chaplaincy in schools and has been an outspoken advocate, even providing a video endorsement of school chaplains.
The National School Chaplain Association “NSCA” which is spearheading legislation, is now certifying chaplains to fill the hundreds of positions becoming available in school districts across Texas and the United States.
NSCA school chaplaincy certification follows strict military chaplain type standards and will provide additional safety resources to public schools.
Rocky Malloy, CEO of the NSCA who has provided over 30,000 chaplaincy programs in countries all over South America said, “This movement is exactly what is needed to curb the violence, help student mental health, and provide an extra pair of eyes for school safety”.
Chaplains have a long tradition in serving our military, police forces, Congress, prisons, first responders, and even at airports”, Malloy continued.
“Teachers are also favorable about finally having someone to support them in addressing student’s PTSD issues, bullying, behavioral issues, and other factors affecting school performance and campus environments. The presence of a chaplain curbs violence alleviates tension and anxiety on campus, and helps prevent suicide,” concluded Malloy.
Recently while NSCA legislative ambassadors were visiting lawmakers in the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock, a group of teachers who were on a field trip, learned of the school chaplaincy bill about to be introduced in the “Natural State”.
The National School Chaplain Association is the world’s largest provider of certified school chaplains, operating in 23 countries and over 30,000 schools.
