25.0431.03000
Sixty-ninth
Legislative Assembly
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Representatives S. Olson, Schauer, K. Anderson, McLeod, Meier, Rohr, Steiner
Senators Boehm, Clemens, Larson, Paulson, Weston
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-07 of the North Dakota
Century Code, relating to school chaplains in public school districts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 15.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
and enacted as follows:
Certified chaplains - School district policy - Requirements.
1.As used in this section, "certified chaplain" means a chaplain certified by a national or
state chaplaincy organization or ecclesiastically endorsed by a religious organization.
2.A school district may employ or accept as a volunteer a certified chaplain to provide
support, services, and programs for a student, staff member, or legal guardian of a
student as authorized by the board of a school district.
3.A certified chaplain employed or volunteering under this section is not required to be
licensed by the education standards and practices board.
4.The board of a school district shall obtain a criminal history record check from the
bureau of criminal investigation for each individual hired or volunteering under this
section. All costs associated with a background check are the responsibility of the
board under section 12 - 60 - 24.
5.A school district may not employ or accept as a volunteer under this section an
individual who is required to register under section 12.1 - 32 - 15.
6.A cause of action does not arise against a certified chaplain for an action taken or
statement made while providing support, services, or programs for a student, staff
member, or legal guardian of a student, unless the action or statement was
maliciously, willfully, and deliberately intended to cause harm to, harass, or intimidate
Page No. 1 25.0431.03000
HOUSE BILL NO. 1456
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23 Sixty-ninth
Legislative Assembly
an individual seeking the support, services, or programs provided by the certified
chaplain.
SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION -
KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE SCHOOL CHAPLAINS. There is appropriated
out of any moneys in the general fund in the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the sum
of $500,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary, to the department of public
instruction for the purpose of funding the salaries, training, oversight, and governance of school
chaplains and evaluating the efficacy of the program, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025,
and ending June 30, 2027. The superintendent of public instruction may provide each school
district no more than $200,000.
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