What's happening
This bill requires New York public schools to establish a voluntary, non-sectarian chaplaincy program for students and employees.
Why it matters
Creates a formal, district-run chaplaincy program with strict non-sectarian requirements, aiming to provide emotional or spiritual support without favoring any specific religion or belief system.
Ensures participation is completely voluntary for both students and employees, with explicit safeguards requiring parental consent for students under 18 and no automatic referrals without such consent.
Prohibits chaplains from receiving payment, potentially attracting only those with a strong commitment to public service or prior government chaplaincy experience, which could affect the diversity and availability of chaplains.
Mandates state oversight and regulation by the Commissioner of Education, signaling potential for ongoing adjustments and statewide consistency in how the program operates and who may serve.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Voluntary School Chaplain Program
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Volunteer School Chaplains
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Marcos Crespo
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4960
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 3, 2017
Introduced by Sen. DIAZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to providing for a voluntary chaplaincy program for the public schools
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 1502-b to read as follows:
§ 1502-b. Voluntary chaplaincy program. 1. Every school district and every supervisory district shall establish a voluntary chaplaincy program to serve pupils and employees in accordance with the provisions of this section.
2. Each district shall compile a list of experienced and reputable non-sectarian chaplains who are willing to serve the district in a chaplaincy capacity. Chaplains who have previously served a municipal, state, or federal government agency or department, or who have served the equivalent thereof, will be considered reputable. Chaplains shall receive no compensation for their services.
3. The services of such chaplains shall be made available to pupils eighteen years of age or older and to employees upon their request and without charge.
4. (a) With respect to pupils under eighteen years of age, referrals of a pupil to a chaplain shall not be made without the consent of the pupil's parent or guardian. Referrals shall be made without any charge.
(b) In the event that pupils under eighteen raise questions of a religious nature, or generate other cause to believe that a consultation with a chaplain may be helpful to the pupil, the pupil's teacher or principal shall give notice thereof to the parent or guardian of the pupil and shall inform such parent or guardian of the availability of a chaplain for a consultation with the pupil.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07310-01-7
S. 4960 2
5. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that the commissioner of education is authorized to promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement this act on its effective date on or before such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing for a voluntary chaplaincy program for the public schools
Purpose of bill
This measure will provide spiritual guidance for the students of New York State by creating a Non-Denominational School Chaplaincy Program.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends the Education Law by adding a new Section 1502-b. Creates a voluntary chaplaincy program in every school district. Provides that the services of such chaplains shall be made available to students eighteen years of age or older. Requires the consent of a student's parent or guardian to receive a referral for such services if such student is less than eighteen years of age. Authorizes the Commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations to implement this section.
Section 2. Effective Date.
Existing law
None.
Justification
There are many pressures and stresses that youth struggle with on a day to day basis. Due to these societal and personal pressures, kids, whether they are from an inner city neighborhood, an affluent suburb or a rural farming community, sometimes need the option of receiving spiritual guidance. This legislation is aimed at creating a Non-Denominational School Chaplaincy Program and is modeled on the non-sectarian Chaplaincy Boards of Police, Fire and Correctional Departments, municipal hospitals and the various branches of the United States Armed Forces. This measure calls for qualified and experienced chaplains, drawn from those agencies and representing the full spectrum for religious affiliations, to volunteer their time to the students of New York State. Built into the Non-Denominational School Chaplaincy Bill will be those provisions that will, as a matter of course, respect the diversity and diverse values of our State's families. Chaplains will serve a student according to that student's own belief, or lack thereof. This will be done without, in any way, imposing the Chaplain's own religious background.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.360- REFERRED TO EDUCATION/A.6760-referred to education 2015: S.360- REFERRED TO EDUCATION/A.6760- referred to education 2014: S.859 - Referred to Education/A.3895 - Referred to Education 2013: S.859 - Referred to Education/A.3895 - Referred to Education 2012: S.377 - Referred to Education/ A.1112 - Referred to Education 2011: S.377 - Defeated in Education/A.1112 - Referred to Education 2009-10: S.3152- Referred to Education/A.8847- Referred to Education 2007-08: S.771-Referred to Education/A.3130 -Referred to Education 2005-06: S.819 -Referred to Education/A.2812 -Referred to Education 2003-04: S.5043- Referred to Education/A.4221- Referred to Education 2001-02: A.4814- Referred to Education 1999-00: A.3152- Referred to Education
Fiscal implication
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law, with provisions.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.