Public schools; allow to employ or accept the service of chaplains.

SB 2501 (Mississippi) would allow public school districts and charter schools to employ or accept volunteer chaplains to provide student support services. Key provisions require chaplains to pass criminal background checks, prohibit employment of registered sex offenders, and mandate school boards to adopt chaplain policies by December 2026 for implementation in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill also amends education codes to include chaplains in school crisis response teams, require local districts to fund chaplain-related safety programs, and integrate chaplain services into emergency management plans. This bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.