National School Chaplain Association releases an article announcing the criteria in the newly passed bill: AL H.B.8 allowing public K-12 schools and public charter schools in Alabama to accept campus chaplains starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
-- National School Chaplain Association has published a new article about the Alabama House and Senate Passing School Chaplain Bill H.B.8 on April 7, 2026. Last Action: Delivered to Governor on 04/08/2026.
Alabama has recognized the importance of bringing spiritual care to the schools. The National School Chaplain Association is pleased to announce their decision. NSCA meets training requirements for certifying school chaplains and connecting chaplains to support schools.
Target Audience: School district superintendents, school boards, teachers, parents, mental health providers, faith groups, legislators, congress, charitable foundations and other school advocates; as well as sociologists studying solutions for a stable and flourishing society.
View Full Article at:
The article includes several interesting pieces of information, one in particular is that Alabama joins Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Missouri in having passed school chaplain legislation. Over thirty other states already have School Chaplain legislation in progress.
This is interesting because the need for spiritual care in the school setting is being recognized nationwide. The National School Chaplain Association already has proven experience and evidence-based-outcomes in providing school chaplains in twenty three other countries. Now, Alabama joins other states in this movement spreading across America.
Some of the most important pieces of information are that Alabama HB8 states that chaplains may serve in Alabama schools as long as they have cleared background security checks. Chaplains must never been convicted of or adjudicated for offenses requiring sex offender registration. Also, the Alabama bill requires proper chaplain training.
The National School Chaplain Association wholeheartedly agrees with Alabama on these points. NSCA also performs official background checks on all their chaplain students before allowing them to enroll in chaplain academy. These official background checks are maintained on file and repeated annually after chaplains have completed training and are certified. NSCA has strict criteria for becoming a school chaplain. See NSCA Chaplain Academy
https://www.nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/certification
Article Extract quote: 'HB 8, sponsored by Rep. Mark Gidley, told the House Education Policy Committee; “This bill does not require a school board to adopt this. It just requires them to make a decision,” Rep. Gidley has also remarked that; “this could help teachers in rural counties who lack resources for mental health services and it could be a resource they could tap into when they may not be able to tap into other resources that could offer support.”'
In discussing the article's creation, Dorothy Kozar, Editorial Contributor at National School Chaplain Association said: "Contact National School Chaplain Association website as a source for more school chaplain information and to request certified chaplains for your schools. Also, read about the Alabama Bill atTrack 50, AL HB8 at their following website..."
And read the full bill at...
https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/HB8-enr.pdf
Regular readers of National School Chaplain Association will notice the article takes a familiar tone, which has been described as 'Non-confrontational, but compels a fresh look and deeper perspective for a call to action, which provides an opportunity to become better together.
National School Chaplain Association welcomes comments and questions from readers, in relation to the article, as they are intent on discussing a fresh look at all sides of the issue. The reason is simply because dialog dispels misconceptions and accomplishes important things that otherwise would be lost.
Anyone who has a specific question about a past, present, or future article can contact National School Chaplain Association via their website at https://www.nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org
The complete article is available to view in full at https://www.nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/editorials/alabama-house-and-senate-passed-school-chaplain-bill-hb8-april-7-2026-and-is-sent-to-governor.
Contact Info:
Name: Rocky Malloy
Email: Send Email
Organization: National School Chaplain Association
Address: PO Box 720746, Norman, OK 73070, United States
Website: https://www.campuschaplains.org
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89188185
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