1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to education; allowing certified chaplains in public schools; appropriating
1.3 money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 121A.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. [121A.395] CERTIFIED SCHOOL CHAPLAINS.
1.6 Subdivision 1.Definitions.As used in this section, "certified chaplain" means a chaplain
1.7certified by a national or state chaplaincy organization or ecclesiastically endorsed by a
1.8religious organization.
1.9 Subd. 2.School chaplain.(a) A school district or charter school may employ or accept
1.10as a volunteer a certified chaplain to provide support, services, and programs for a student,
1.11staff member, or legal guardian of a student as authorized by the board of a school district
1.12or charter school.
1.13 (b) A certified chaplain employed by or volunteering at a school under this section is
1.14not required to be licensed by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.
1.15 Subd. 3.Background studies.The board of a school district or charter school must
1.16initiate a criminal history background study for each individual hired or volunteering under
1.17this section. The background study must include a review of information from the Bureau
1.18of Criminal Apprehension, including criminal history data as defined in section 13.87, and
1.19must meet all background check requirements under section 123B.03.
1.20 Subd. 4.Prohibition.A school district or charter school must not employ or accept as
1.21a volunteer under this section an individual who has been convicted of any offense that
1Section 1.
25-02567 as introduced01/31/25 REVISOR CR/RC
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 2281NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: LUCERO)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading03/06/2025
Referred to Education Policy 2.1requires the person to register as a predatory offender under section 243.166, or a crime
2.2under a similar law of another state or the United States.
2.3 Subd. 5.Cause of action.A cause of action does not arise against a certified chaplain
2.4for an action taken or statement made while providing support, services, or programs for a
2.5student, staff member, or legal guardian of a student, unless the action or statement was
2.6maliciously, willfully, and deliberately intended to cause harm to, harass, or intimidate an
2.7individual seeking the support, services, or programs provided by the certified chaplain.
2.8 Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS; SCHOOL CHAPLAINS.
2.9 Subdivision 1.Department of Education.The sums indicated in this section are
2.10appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years
2.11designated.
2.12 Subd. 2.School chaplains.For the purposes of providing salaries, training, oversight,
2.13and governance of school chaplains under Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.395:
2026.....500,0002.14 $
2027.....500,0002.15 $
2Sec. 2.
25-02567 as introduced01/31/25 REVISOR CR/RC