“This bill is part of a coordinated campaign by conservative Christian-based organizations and their legislative champions to force state-sponsored religion into public schools without parental consent. “The same Texas politicians trying to control what students think by banning books and censoring curricula now want to dictate what students worship,” Donatti said. (Photo by Jana Birchum/Getty Images) Jana Birchum/Getty ImagesĪ bill that would have required Texas public schools to display the Ten Commandments has failedĪCLU of Texas attorney David Donatti criticized the bill in a statement. A sharply divided Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of displaying the Ten Commandments on government land, but drew the line on displays inside courthouses, saying they violated the doctrine of separation of church and state. Supreme Court decision that allows a Ten Commandments monument to stand outside the Texas State Capitol Jin Austin, Texas. Greg Abbott’s desk.ĪUSTIN, TX - JUNE 27: Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott attends a press conference celebrating the U.S. Some of the services provided by the chaplains would include suicide prevention programs, mental health support and behavioral health services. “A chaplain employed or volunteering under this chapter is not required to be certified by the State Board for Educator Certification,” it added.įunds allocated to improve security and safety would include use for chaplains, social workers, licensed counselors and behavioral health services, according to the bill, which was amended before being approved in identical form by both legislative bodies this week. Senate Bill 763, which passed 84-60, reads, “A school district or open-enrollment charter school may employ or accept as a volunteer a chaplain to provide support, services, and programs for students as assigned by the board of trustees of the district or the governing body of the school.”

Lawmakers in Texas’ Republican-controlled House passed a bill Wednesday that would allow public schools to employ or accept volunteer chaplains who are not state certified.

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