Current:Home > MarketsFlorida will open schools to volunteer chaplains -Global Finance Compass
Florida will open schools to volunteer chaplains
View
Date:2025-04-18 15:59:41
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida school districts will soon have the option of allowing volunteer chaplains to counsel students under a bill signed Thursday by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who dismissed critics opposed to mixing religion with public education.
The only requirements for a chaplain to participate would be passing a background check and having their name and religious affiliation listed on the school website. The chaplains would “provide support, services, and programs to students as assigned by the district school board.” The law that takes effect July 1.
DeSantis stressed that the program is voluntary. Schools don’t have to have a chaplain and students don’t have to work with them. Parental permission would be required if they do.
“No one’s being forced to do anything, but to exclude religious groups from campus, that is discrimination,” DeSantis said. “You’re basically saying that God has no place. That’s wrong.”
Florida is among more than a dozen states that have sought to create school chaplain programs. Texas became the first under a law passed in 2023.
Supporters in Florida argued the legislation will provide another resource for children and pointed out that chaplains already serve in other government roles by working with police and serving in the military. The Legislature itself hosts a chaplain of the day when it’s in session and there’s a non-denominational chapel in the state Capitol.
Opponents cite several problems with the new Florida law, including there being no training requirements for chaplains. They also fear that some students might be ostracized if they are atheist or belong to a non-Christian religion in a Christian majority district.
“When you have a military chaplain, they go through intensive training and they have to be in a position where they can provide information which is factually correct and appropriate to the situation,” said Democratic Sen. Lori Berman of Palm Beach County.
Without that training, a chaplain could provide psychologically damaging counseling, Berman said. She suggested schools add more social workers, guidance counsellors or psychologists if they need them.
“Let’s put the trained professionals in and not some unlicensed, untrained people with a religious affiliation,” Berman said.
veryGood! (163)
Related
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Federal judge again declares DACA immigration program unlawful, but allows it to continue
- Cambodia’s new Prime Minister Hun Manet heads to close ally China for his first official trip abroad
- North Carolina court upholds law giving adults 2-year window to file child sex-abuse lawsuits
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- DeSantis says he does not support criminalizing women who get abortions
- Jonas Brothers, Friendly's launch new ice cream dishes: The Joe, Nick and Kevin Sundaes
- 30 years after Oslo, Israeli foreign minister rejects international dictates on Palestinian issue
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- North Carolina court upholds law giving adults 2-year window to file child sex-abuse lawsuits
Ranking
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- 2 men sentenced to life without parole in downtown Pittsburgh drive-by shooting that killed toddler
- Analysis: Iran-US prisoner swap for billions reveals familiar limits of diplomacy between nations
- Witnesses say victims of a Hanoi high-rise fire jumped from upper stories to escape the blaze
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- DeSantis says he does not support criminalizing women who get abortions
- Inflation rose in August amid higher prices at the pump
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly higher after US inflation data ease rate hike worries
Recommendation
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Judge blocks New Mexico governor's suspension of carrying firearms in public
Judge severs Trump's Georgia case, and 16 others, from trial starting in October
China says EU probe into Chinese electric vehicle exports, subsidies is protectionist
Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
Maluma on dreaming big
Beyoncé, Taylor Swift reporter jobs added by Gannett, America's largest newspaper chain
Louis C.K. got canceled, then uncanceled. Too soon? New 'Sorry/Not Sorry' doc investigates