HF 884 (LSB 2254HV (3) 91)

HOUSE FILE 884

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 334)

(As Amended and Passed by the House 2025-03-26)

A BILL FOR

An Act authorizing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage volunteer chaplains, to provide services to students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256E.7, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  j.  Employ chaplains, or engage chaplains to serve without compensation or remuneration, in the same manner as a school district under section 279.87.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256F.4, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  9.  A charter school or innovation zone school may employ chaplains, or engage chaplains to serve without compensation or remuneration, in the same manner as a school district under section 279.87.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  279.87  School chaplains.
   1.  The board of directors of a school district may employ a chaplain, or engage a chaplain to serve without compensation or remuneration, to provide support, services, and programs for students as assigned by the board of directors of the school district.
   2.  a.  Subject to paragraph “b”, the board of directors of a school district may establish qualifications, credentialing, and other requirements related to chaplains who are employed or engaged pursuant to this section.
   b.  The board of directors of a school district shall not require a chaplain employed or engaged under this section to have a license, endorsement, certification, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board of educational examiners.
   3.  The procedure for background investigations and termination established in section 279.69 shall apply to chaplains employed or engaged under this section.
   4.  The board of directors of a school district shall not do any of the following:
   a.  Require or coerce a student to utilize the support, services, or programs provided by a chaplain who is employed or engaged by the board of directors of the school district pursuant to this section.
   b.  Employ or engage a chaplain in lieu of a school counselor or a qualified guidance counselor licensed by the board of educational examiners under chapter 256, subchapter VII, part 3.