KISSIMMEE, FL (352today.com) – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Thursday to enable schools to host chaplain programs on campuses as an added mental health resource for students.

The governor used the backdrop of the gymnasium at Tohopekaliga High School in Kissimmee to make the announcement.

“Faith leaders and civic organizations are important additional resources for students who may be facing challenges or need to build community and camaraderie,” said DeSantis. “I’m pleased to be able to expand the variety of options that students have at their disposal in school and we have no doubt that these options will enhance the experiences of our students.”

The law establishes a statewide school chaplain program. Here’s a summary of the legislation:

  • It authorizes school districts and charter schools to allow volunteer chaplains to be on school campuses and provide additional counseling support to students
  • Chaplains will be assigned by the district school board or charter school governing board
  • A student may only receive support offered by school chaplains with written parental consent

The law goes into effect July 1.

“I want to applaud Governor DeSantis for signing House Bill 931,” said State Representative Stan McClain (R-Ocala). “At a time when much of the country is facing a mental health crisis, having volunteer chaplains for K-12 schools is a commonsense solution. We are selling our kids short if we only focus on meeting their intellectual needs but fail to make provision for their spiritual and emotional needs.”

The measure was opposed by several groups ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to the 200 individual chaplains across the U.S. who in March signed an open letter to lawmakers in states considering similar legislation.

The ACLU says school-chaplain bills have been introduced in 14 states nationwide to date.

“As trained chaplains, we are not qualified to address the needs of public-school students that these proposals purport to address. We cooperate with mental health counselors – we do not compete with them. Further, professions that help children with sensitive matters, such as therapists and police investigators, typically require special training on how to interview and treat juveniles. Few chaplains have this expertise,” said the letter.

DeSantis also signed HB 1317 which authorizes districts to allow civic and patriotic organizations to visit schools to encourage student participation and involvement.

The organizations include:
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
• The Boy Scouts of America
• The Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• The Civil Air Patrol
• Future Farmers of America
• The Girl Scouts of the United States of America
• Little League Baseball
• The Marine Corps League
• The Navy Seal Cadet Corps

“This is an important piece of legislation that allows patriotic organizations in our schools, organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters — a mentoring organization that I’ve been involved with for over 10 years, starting back when I was a young prosecutor,” said State Representative Berny Jaques (R-Clearwater). “Big Brothers Big Sisters works well with many of our schools, but this legislation will help us double down on our efforts so kids will turn out to be productive members of society, and not as a file on a prosecutor’s desk.”