A bill that would allow chaplains to volunteer in public schools is moving through the Arizona Legislature. The bill passed through the House on a party-line vote.
Senate Bill 1269 would allow parents to give written permission for their children to see a chaplain on campus. House Republican Matt Gress supports the measure.
"We've heard that from our constituents all along is that we want parents to have a greater say in their child's education and their child's well-being," Gress said.
The bill would require a school principal to ensure that each volunteer school chaplain meets certain requirements, including fingerprinting. Schools would also maintain a list of approved volunteer chaplains. Democrats opposed the measure.
"We are creating a loophole for clergy who are not held to the same standards, high standards, as our educators or any other school personnel," said Democrat Stephanie Stahl Hamilton.
The measure now goes back to the Senate.
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