HB 1054 South Dakota House · 2025 Regular Session

allow public schools to authorize an individual to volunteer or be employed as a school chaplain.

This bill allows public schools in South Dakota to authorize individuals to serve as school chaplains, either as volunteers or employees. The legislation enables schools to formally recognize and support religious or spiritual leaders who provide counseling and pastoral care to students. By permitting these roles, the bill aims to expand access to spiritual guidance within the public education system while maintaining existing employment and volunteer standards.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status in committee 2 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Failed

Feb 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 15, 2025 Last action Feb 5, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → House Education Engrossed · 6 edits · Feb 3, 2025

MODERATE

This bill adds a new section to South Dakota law requiring school districts to create policies allowing individuals to volunteer or be employed as school chaplains. The policy must outline application processes, minimum qualifications, and services provided, while prohibiting students from being compelled to participate and preventing chaplains from having disciplinary authority over students. All chaplains must undergo criminal background checks, and those with certain criminal convictions are barred from serving.

Scope change

The bill expands school district authority to formally authorize school chaplains through a new policy requirement, establishing specific guidelines for their roles and restrictions.

REQUIREMENT

School districts must now implement a policy authorizing volunteers or employees to serve as school chaplains, including application processes, minimum qualifications, and description of services.

School districts must publish on their websites a list of all individuals serving as school chaplains along with their religious affiliations.

School chaplain policies must explicitly prohibit compelling student participation in chaplain services.

School chaplain policies must prohibit chaplains from having any disciplinary or supervisory authority over students or student groups.

ELIGIBILITY

All school chaplain applicants must undergo criminal background investigations matching the requirements for school district employees.

Individuals convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, crimes of violence, sex offenses, or narcotics trafficking are prohibited from serving as school chaplains.

Floor votes · House Feb 5, 2025

How they voted

17–49

Failed · 1 other

Total votes 67

Feb 5, 2025

D Democratic5

4 Nay 1

80% Nay

R Republican62

17 Yea 45 Nay

72% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 18, NAYS 49 H.J. 203

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Vote failed

House Vote: fail (17-49-1)

house

Feb 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Education Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 5

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Introduced

Education Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1054B

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to H.J. 29

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors