SF 2281

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/07/2025 10:19 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to education; allowing certified chaplains in public schools; appropriating
money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 121A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [121A.395] CERTIFIED SCHOOL CHAPLAINS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin School chaplain. new text end

new text begin (a) A school district or charter school 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
or charter school.
new text end

new text begin (b) A certified chaplain employed by or volunteering at a school under this section is
not required to be licensed by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Background studies. new text end

new text begin The board of a school district or charter school must
initiate a criminal history background study for each individual hired or volunteering under
this section. The background study must include a review of information from the Bureau
of Criminal Apprehension, including criminal history data as defined in section 13.87, and
must meet all background check requirements under section 123B.03.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Prohibition. new text end

new text begin A school district or charter school must not employ or accept as
a volunteer under this section an individual who has been convicted of any offense that
requires the person to register as a predatory offender under section 243.166, or a crime
under a similar law of another state or the United States.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Cause of action. new text end

new text begin 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 an
individual seeking the support, services, or programs provided by the certified chaplain.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; SCHOOL CHAPLAINS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin School chaplains. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of providing salaries, training, oversight,
and governance of school chaplains under Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.395:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 500,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2026 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 500,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2027 new text end