Unlicensed religious chaplains may counsel students in public schools after lawmakers greenlight proposal

Unlicensed religious chaplains would be allowed to work in Texas public schools under a bill passed by the Texas Legislature on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 763 was approved in an 84-60 vote in the Texas House, one day after it passed the Texas Senate. It allows Texas school districts to use school safety funds to pay for unlicensed chaplains to work in mental health roles alongside trained counselors. Volunteer chaplains will also be allowed in schools.

The bill was delayed last week after House Democrats sought an amendment that would have required chaplains to have similar accreditation as chaplains who work in prisons or the U.S. military. That amendment was defeated during negotiations between both chambers Friday.