Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law that allows volunteer chaplains to provide support services in public K-12 schools, but he says that won’t include Satanic Temple members.
The legislation, set to take effect July 1, has sparked a debate on religious representation and the potential for legal challenges based on the First Amendment.
Under the new law, school districts and charter schools in Florida have the authorization to implement policies allowing chaplains to offer support, services and programs aimed at benefiting students. Students must receive parental consent to participate, and chaplains must pass background checks.
The Satanic Temple, a group recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt church, has expressed its intent to place its own chaplains in the schools, citing the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom.
Mr. DeSantis has indicated a legal battle should the Satanic Temple move forward with its plans.
“Some have said that if you do a school chaplain program, that somehow you’re going to have Satanists running around in all our schools,” he said at a press conference. “We’re not playing those games in Florida. That is not a religion. That is not qualifying to be able to participate in this.”
The implementation of the chaplain programs will be decided by local school authorities, who may opt whether or not to establish the services. The bill does not mandate the creation of chaplain programs but rather provides a framework for schools that choose to participate.
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