Unlicensed religious chaplains may counsel students in Texas' public schools after lawmakers OK prop

[RandySF]

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.

The bill was delayed last week after Texas House members sought an amendment that would have required chaplains to have similar accreditation as chaplains who work in prisons or the U.S. military. That amendment was defeated during negotiations between both chambers Friday.

Earlier this month, House Democrats also 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.



https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/texas-legislature-chaplains-schools/

[634-5789]

1. Yep. Christo-Fascists. They're here.

..."Rocky Malloy, a self-described former drug-smuggling pirate 'saved by divine intervention', has led a group that promotes chaplains as a tool to proselytize to schoolchildren...."

Yep. Christo-Fascists. They're here.

[MutantAndProud]

2. So it's become: send group 1 to cause carnage and group 2 to proselytize and 'heal' by faith

I think the original creator of Christianity would have some harsh words for these types

[littlemissmartypants]

3. What could possibly go wrong? Don't get me started. More bad ideas from and for Texas.

Good grief.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. That's what I was going to say - Good Grief!

Haven't the children of Texas suffered enough??

[Walleye]

5. If I had a kid I would rather they hang out with drag queens than creepy chaplains

[Lonestarblue]

6. Local school boards will set requirements for chaplains.

Those in more progressive districts are unlikely to use them because they know the value of counselors trained to deal with children. Right-wing Republican districts will choose local white evangelical ministers who preach their vile world view that white men are the most important and women are chattel who must marry after high school and then remain home to produce as many babies as possible. And what will these chaplains know about how to help minority kids get scholarships or prepare for college? Nothing, and that is the point.

[jmowreader]

7. Give it a minute

You just know the Satanic Temple is gearing up to put a volunteer chaplain into every school in Texas.

[niyad]

11. Thank you.

[Skittles]

8. GROOMING

yes INDEED

[tanyev]

9. OMG, will they at least do background checks to try and weed out sex offenders?

[Bettie]

10. They have to find a place to send those disgraced

youth pastors. Schools probably seem like a good fit to Abbott and his people.