Schools; allowing a school district or charter school to employ or accept as a volunteer one or more chaplains; requiring certain record check. Effective date. Emergency.

This bill allows Oklahoma school districts and charter schools to employ or accept as volunteers ordained religious leaders (chaplains) to provide voluntary support services to students and staff, without requiring state education certification. Schools must conduct national criminal history checks through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) for chaplains and cannot hire individuals required to register as sex offenders. It also prohibits requiring students or school employees to seek services from a chaplain. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.