Bill
LB 549
Nebraska school boards may hire chaplains (paid or volunteer) to provide student and staff support, with policies, background checks, and liability safeguards.
Purpose and intent
- LB 549 would authorize Nebraska school boards to employ a chaplain, including in a volunteer capacity, to provide academic, career, emotional, and behavioral health support to students and school staff.
- The bill clarifies that employing a chaplain is not an endorsement of any religion and that chaplains are not required to hold teaching certificates.
Key provisions and changes
- Definition
- “Chaplain” is defined as a clergy member licensed, ordained, or endorsed by their religious organization and trained to serve in secular environments.
- Employment authority
- A school board may employ a chaplain, including on a volunteer basis, to provide specified supports at the school.
- A chaplain is not required to hold a certificate to teach, administer, or perform special services in Nebraska, and employment under this section does not constitute religious endorsement.
- Background checks
- Before employment, a chaplain must undergo a criminal history record information check under § 79-814.01 and pay any required fees.
- The Commissioner of Education can deny eligibility based on criminal history information.
- District policy
- Before employing a chaplain, the school board must develop a policy addressing employment of uncertified individuals to perform duties described in the bill. The policy must cover employment, discipline, continued education, and termination.
- Certification and statutory alignment
- The bill amends sections 79-804, 79-805, and 79-814.01 to recognize chaplains under the new framework and to exclude chaplains from certain teacher-certification-related requirements and liabilities.
- Section 79-804’s registration and reporting requirements for certificated teachers remain applicable to teachers and administrators, but do not apply to chaplains.
- Section 79-805 provides liability protections for districts regarding paid or uncertified personnel; the liability rules exclude chaplains.
- Criminal history checks (CHRI)
- The Nebraska State Patrol will perform CHRI checks, including any applicable federal and other state records.
- Costs for CHRI checks are to be borne by the applicant.
- CHRI records are confidential and released only under authorized conditions, including for appeal processes.
- The commissioner may consider felony or certain misconduct convictions, but will review surrounding facts and post-conviction conduct.
Procedural/timeline aspects
- Introduced: January 22, 2025
- Referred to: Education Committee (January 24, 2025)
- Hearing notice: February 13, 2025
- Hearing date: February 24, 2025
- Sponsor: Primary—Senator Loren Lippincott; Chair—Senator Dave Murman (Education Committee)
Who is affected
- School boards and district administrations
- Chaplains (paid or volunteer)
- Students and school staff who may receive chaplain-provided support
- Certification and human resources processes within schools
Operational and impact considerations
- Potential alignment with student support services while ensuring separation of church and state principles.
- Clear policy requirements for employing uncertified personnel and ensuring appropriate supervision, training, and termination procedures.
- Financial impact limited to CHRI costs borne by applicants; districts may need to adjust hiring practices and supervision structures.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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