Texas Gov Gets Bill To Place Chaplains In Public Schools

May 25, 2023 Christianists, Republicans

The Texas Tribune reports:

Unlicensed religious chaplains would be allowed to work in Texas public schools under a bill passed by the Texas Legislature on Wednesday. Senate Bill 763 was approved in an 84-60 vote in the Texas House, one day after it passed the Texas Senate. It allows Texas schools to use safety funds to pay for unlicensed chaplains to work in mental health roles. Volunteer chaplains will also be allowed in schools.

House Democrats offered amendments to bar proselytizing or attempts to convert students from one religion to another; to require chaplains to receive consent from the parents of school children; and to make schools provide chaplains from any faith or denomination requested by students. All of those amendments failed. Rep. Cole Hefner, who authored the House version of the bill, said in debates that local school boards will be allowed to set requirements for chaplains.

Read the full article. Rep. Cole Hefner [photo above] has seven children and was elected with the endorsement of the Texas Home School Coalition.

Earlier this week outlets reported that the bill had already been given final approval, but it appears that was not the case due to unresolved attempts at amendments.

As I reported on Monday, the bill is the work of a Texas evangelist who falsely testified to the Texas House that the chaplains will not be “working to convert people to religion.”

In fact, his organization has been open about their desire to proselytize to public school students.



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