Update: After the publication of this article, Rep. Reagan Paul (R-Winterport) contacted The Maine Wire saying that she has reconsidered her bill, and is planning to urge others to vote against the bill because she believes that the language of the bill in its current form is not yet fully developed.
“I am asking that my bill be voted out “ought not to pass” at this time, not because the idea lacks merit, but because the language is not yet fully developed. Given the urgency of addressing the mental health crisis in our schools, I believe the bill’s intent is vital. However, more time is needed to carefully craft the language to ensure its effectiveness and avoid unintended consequences,“ said Rep. Paul.
Rep. Paul along with eight Republican co-sponsors, proposed a bill on Tuesday that would place chaplains in Maine public schools as a new method of combatting the mental health crisis afflicting America’s youth.
[RELATED: Dem Claims ‘Christian Prayer’ Should Not Be Allowed In Capitol, Protests National Prayer Breakfast…]
“The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I am proud to present this bill to actually address our mental health crisis in our schools. Schools that have chaplains are demonstrated to have improved school safety, better teacher retention, and improved mental health outcomes,” said Rep. Paul.
The bill, LD 927 is set to have a public hearing in the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs on March 26.
Under the bill, each Maine School Administrative District would employ or accept as a volunteer at least one chaplain to provide support, services, and programs for students, staff, and even parents of children in a given school district.
The chaplain must be certified or licensed by a religious organization recognized by the Department of Defense (DoD), thereby preventing a satanist, or cult member from being instated as a school chaplain, as their organizations are not recognized by the DoD.
Chaplains would also be subject to fingerprinting and a background check that will ensure that no one listed as a sex offender is admitted into a school as a chaplain.
Paul’s bill provides protection from civil liability for statements made and actions taken by chaplains carrying out their role, though they are not protected from prosecution for acts or statements made maliciously or intended to harm a person seeking their support.
“To date, over 30 million people have been served by school chaplains and have programs implemented in more than 36,000 schools in over 23 countries, including the United States of America,” said Paul.
Chaplains would be able to provide advice to students on a variety of matters and offer a sympathetic listener for students wishing to discuss their problems.
Even if it does pass which it never will, watch the lawsuits follow from the “separation of church and state” people. Now if they say they’d allow Clerics in the schools, watch their heads explode with them not knowing what to do….
Employ? NO!! Volunteers? YES!
Have it set up like the jails…visiting pastors.
That’s the best news I’ve heard yet… as long as the chaplains agree to not let gov’t agencies to obstruct their work. Yeah, I’m talking about DHHS.
Nope. School is not for counseling by anyone. Get back to the basics of learning. Chaplains are no better than the DEI folks. They all have an agenda. Can we just teach kids a classical education?
Al-ateen, al-anon and AA programs within public schools would also be helpful for the kiddos and adults to handle the crisis, chaos and drama of the dis-ordered, dysfunctional family dynamics that are on full display in the NON-EDUCATIONAL public school SYSTEMS today. These programs are successful world wide and support themselves.
It just might be a good idea. Nothing else they are doing seems to be working.
There could be some “ balance “ to all the DEI ….LGBTQRS. .indoctrination .
If schools are really so interested in the kids’ mental health “ a little religion could go a long way .
“ Democrats “ WILL NEVER approve of it !
As long as there are math tests there will be prayer in schools.
It will never pass the Christian hating libs in Augusta.
You do not need Chaplin’s in schools. You need parents held accountable.
Olde Crone- more I would take school kids to AA meetings-not new