Pre-filed bill would allow chaplains to volunteer at Alabama schools

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — Rep. Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff) said teachers are facing mounting pressures in the classroom. He hopes an act of the legislature can help with that.

“We focus a lot on the students… but, what about the teachers and administrators?” he said.

Rep. Gidley’s bill would allow chaplains to serve as volunteers in schools, if their boards approve it. Gidley said frontline workers have access to chaplains, and teachers should be able to request the same support.

“We have great teachers,” said Gidley. “Great administrators, who I believe, we need to offer them a way to have some support mechanism that will be qualified, and ready to help them if they’re dealing with a struggle.”

But, Rev. Julie Conrady, president of the Interfaith Alliance of Central Alabama, said that mechanism could take away religious freedom in schools. “There’s no way this bill can accomplish ensuring that all students have a chaplain that adheres to their religious practices,” said Conrady.

Conrady said she is concerned about chaplains meeting the needs of a variety of religious backgrounds. “Chaplains are professional, trained individuals that are educated in a certain way of doing chaplaincy,” she said. “And, this bill allows any person to just volunteer themselves.”

But, Rep. Gidley said volunteers would still be required to have completed a recognized chaplain training program, in addition to a background check. He said chaplains know how to face crisis situations regardless of the need.

“While many of our chaplains programs are Christian-based, chaplains are trained in how to deal with situations based on that need,” he explained. “Not just, go there and indoctrinate, but, offer spiritual guidance if that is needed and requested. But, mainly be there for emotional support and spiritual support when needed,”

Last session, the bill passed through the House, but was not voted on in the Senate. Rep. Gidley said it’s important to offer administrators and teachers all the support they can get.

The 2026 legislative session will kick off Jan. 13.