SCHOOLS: Provides relative to the employment or acceptance of volunteer chaplains in public schools. (gov sig)
This bill requires local public school boards in Louisiana to conduct state and federal fingerprint background checks on any chaplain they employ or accept as a volunteer. The new rule applies to both paid staff and unpaid volunteers who serve in schools under the existing chapter governing school chaplains. Before a chaplain can begin their duties, the school must verify they have passed the background screening outlined in state law. This measure aims to ensure safety and compliance by mandating a standardized vetting process for all religious leaders working in public education settings.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2024
Committee Review
Apr 2024
Senate Passage
May 2024
House Passage
May 2024
Signed into Law
May 2024
Introduced Feb 28, 2024
Signed May 28, 2024
Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2024 · House May 15, 2024
How they voted
34–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 37
Mar 20, 2024
D
Democratic12
100% Yea
R
Republican25
88% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 20, 2024
Upper · Passed
Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.
upper
May 15, 2024
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 73, nays 26. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Apr 25, 2024
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
Apr 24, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (9-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
Mar 25, 2024
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.
lower
Mar 20, 2024
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Mar 18, 2024
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Mar 11, 2024
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Education.
upper
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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