WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 3163

Military Chaplains Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Michael Cloud and 3 co-sponsors

HR 3163 - Military Chaplains Act of 2025 OverviewBill Number: HR 3163 Title: Military Chaplains Act of 2025Status: Introduced in HouseIntroduced: May 01, 2025 Purpose and IntentTh

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 3163

HR 3163 - Military Chaplains Act of 2025

Overview

Bill Number: HR 3163
Title: Military Chaplains Act of 2025
Status: Introduced in House
Introduced: May 01, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The Military Chaplains Act of 2025 aims to expand and strengthen the role of military chaplains in supporting the spiritual and mental health needs of active-duty service members. The bill's sponsors argue that chaplains play a critical but underutilized part in maintaining troop morale and readiness, and that this legislation is necessary to ensure chaplains have the resources and authority to effectively serve the military community.

Key Provisions

  • Increases the authorized number of active-duty chaplains across all military branches by 20%
  • Requires the Department of Defense to establish a standardized training program for military chaplains focused on mental health counseling and crisis intervention
  • Grants chaplains the authority to refer service members to mental health professionals and provide confidential counseling without command approval
  • Mandates that all military bases maintain a minimum ratio of one chaplain per 500 active-duty personnel
  • Provides funding for construction and renovation of dedicated chaplain facilities on military installations

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Active-duty service members would have expanded access to confidential spiritual and mental health support from military chaplains
  • Military chaplains would see increased responsibilities, training requirements, and resources to carry out their duties
  • The Department of Defense would need to allocate additional funding and personnel to meet the new chaplain staffing and facility requirements

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

The Military Chaplains Act of 2025 was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 1, 2025 and has been referred to the House Armed Services Committee for consideration. If passed by the House, the bill would then move to the Senate for further review and potential amendments before a final vote. Given the bipartisan support for strengthening military chaplain programs, the legislation is expected to advance through the legislative process over the next several months.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.