Bill to allow volunteer religious chaplains into Arizona public schools, charters passes Senate

Arizona Republicans are looking to make it possible for schools to use volunteer chaplains to provide support and services to students.

The bill, if passed, would give public schools and charters the option to bring in chaplains, specifically affiliated with local religious groups.

Proponents of the bill claim living in a non-religious society has been damaging.

"Are there some good psychologists? I'm sure there are. But I think Jesus is a lot better than any psychologist," said Republican Rep. David Marshall said.

Republican Rep. Matt Gress say this bill benefits students at a time when school employees say they're overworked and underfunded.

House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos says chaplains are not a proper replacement.

“Many of my dear friends are chaplains in other settings, however they are not trained to take the jobs of social workers, psychologists and counselors in our public schools," De Los Santos said.

Opponents also say there are constitutional concerns and that the bill would put schools at risk for lawsuits.

ACLU Arizona says the state has the worst student-to-counselor ratio in the country.

The bill has already passed the Senate.