Senate Bill Could Establish Chaplain Program for Montana Public Schools
SB 525 would allow — though not require — chaplains to either be employees of or volunteer at school districts.
By Jordan Hansen for the Daily Montanan
Religious leaders could be coming to Montana public schools under a bill passed by the state Senate last week.
Senate Bill 525, brought by Senator Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton, would allow — though not require — chaplains to either be paid by or volunteer at school districts to provide support, services and programs. It would apply to both public districts and at public charter schools, and if they’re approved by a school board, could use public money to do so.
Supporters argued the bill could help with student mental health issues and increase safety at schools, while detractors pointed to constitutional issues and accreditation issues. They also said they didn’t want to see schools replacing mental health professionals with religious leaders, especially those whose views might not be inclusive of LGBTQ+ students.
As the bill stands, chaplains could “perform the duties required of a school counselor,” though Manzella vowed to strike the line if the bill makes it to the House while explaining the legislation on the Senate floor.
“It’s not intended to be a school chaplain or a counselor,” Manzella said Thursday on the Senate floor. “It’s a school chaplain if a school chooses to utilize them, and they can utilize them paid or volunteer.”
The only requirements for a school chaplain in the bill, as it stands, would be the person be 18 years of age and be of “good moral character.” There’s also a requirement that the chaplain be certified by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in some way.
Manzella also said she’d strike a second line, that states, “A school chaplain employed under this section is required to be certified by the superintendent of public instruction.”
Manzella said that “the certification process is extensive,” and a change to that part of the bill would need to be made.
However, Manzella pointed to one organization that has been helping place chaplains in schools and already has an accreditation program.
She lauded the National School Chaplain Association (NSCA) during the bill’s hearing, saying, “We’re looking for solutions, and I had heard about this amazing program sometime back.”
The organization is already in 30,000 schools, she said.
The NSCA is [a Christian chaplain ministry] based in Norman, Oklahoma, according to its website. School chaplain bills are being pushed across the country by the NSCA. The Texas Tribune reported in 2023 the organization was a major proponent of its state’s school chaplain legislation. Last year, Politico reported on a Florida bill that is similar to Manzella’s proposed legislation. It was also supported by NSCA.
The NSCA already has an eight-week accreditation program for chaplains. It includes, “Active Shooter Certification, Behavioral Threat Assessment Certification, and the Stop The Bleed Certification.”
Johnny Davis, the chief development officer with the NSCA, spoke in lieu of founder and CEO Rocky Malloy during the bill’s hearing. Davis said “100% of school shootings are known about beforehand,” and pointed to chaplains in schools as an answer, saying they make schools safer and can help “prevent these issues.”
He went on to say their chaplains are trained in non-religious environments. The program costs about $1,000 and includes a background check, a step spelled out in Manzella’s bill.
“Chaplains are skilled and trained to work in secular environments, providing care for individuals from all walks of life, regardless of race, belief and culture, and this skill has made them invaluable in us,” Davis said. “Institutions such as the military, hospitals, prisons, professional sports teams, universities and corporations and today, we feel that their unique skills are critically needed in our schools.”
The accreditation program is run through Oral Roberts University, an evangelical Christian school in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While it’s unclear if those in the program have to abide by it, the Oral Roberts student honor code specifically prohibits relations between people of the same sex.
The NSCA seeks to have a “chaplain on every school campus,” according to its mission statement. While Davis said the organization is trained to work in secular environments, it’s also clear on where it stands on marriage equality.
“We believe in marriage as an irreplaceable and core institution created by God; one biological man and one biological woman freely and publicly enter into the marital covenant through solemn vows,” the NSCA’s statement of faith states, citing several verses from Genesis and one from the Gospel of Matthew.
Religious leaders with differing views on sex, gender, and LGBTQ+ issues is a problem ACLU Montana highlighted.
“We are deeply concerned that substituting school chaplains for school counselors might deprive 2S-LGBTQIA+ students of an inclusive and welcoming school environment, depending on the religious beliefs of the chaplain,” Alex Rate, Legal Director for ACLU Montana said in an email. “School counselors are specially trained to provide services and support to all students, regardless of their identities. Chaplains are, by definition, guided by their faith.”
Definitions of sex, as well as bathroom bills and even an attempt by the Legislature to tell the U.S. Supreme Court they were wrong to legalize same-sex marriage have all been heard this session.
While supporters of the bill pointed to crisis intervention, opponents said there were issues with accreditation. Both the Montana Federation of Public Employees and the state’s Board of Education testified against the bill, as did the ACLU.
“There’s nothing in this bill that remotely aligns to the requirements in our rules,” McCall Flynn, the executive director of the Montana Board of Public Education, said in the bill’s hearing.
Rob Watson, representing School Administrators of Montana and speaking against the bill, pointed out the only requirement for a school chaplain as the bill was written was to be 18 years old and “in good moral standing.”
Others pointed to the issue of adding religion to schools. Montana has a high youth suicide rate and some wondered if adding in God was really the right answer.
“A child is struggling with suicidal thoughts, abuse or trauma, they don’t need religious guidance,” said Lindsay DeGroote, who is a Montana licensed school and clinical counselor. “They need evidence-based professional care in schools.”
All but one Senate Republican voted for the bill on the second reading, while all but one of 18 Democrats voted against it. Senator Russ Tempel, R-Chester voted against it, while Senator Dave Fern, D-Whitefish voted for it. Tempel also voted against the bill in committee.
The Senate passed the bill without amendments, although some Senators were lukewarm on the issue.
“I think the value that they could bring to the table is worth exploring, but there are a million questions that we would need to look at,” said Senator Sara Novak, D-Anaconda, who voted no on the bill in committee and on the floor.
Not something schools need!