Florida's New School Chaplain Policy Sparks Controversy

The Florida Department of Education has introduced a model policy for school chaplain programs, sparking controversy over its religious inclusivity. The policy aims to provide students with additional resources, such as mentoring and spiritual guidance, by allowing volunteer chaplains in public K-12 schools. Critics, including The Satanic Temple, argue that the policy's narrow definition of religion could exclude diverse faiths and violate First Amendment rights. Governor Ron DeSantis, who signed the measure into law, has stated that Satanists would be excluded, potentially leading to legal challenges. The policy mandates parental consent and background checks for chaplains, and schools must notify parents annually about the program. Some school boards, like Osceola County's, are debating whether to implement the program amid concerns about religious proselytization and the inclusion of non-traditional religious groups.