Alabama House and Senate Passed School Chaplain Bill HB8 April 7, 2026
Alabama State Capitol
National School Chaplain Association announces criteria in the newly passed bill: AL HB.8 allowing public K-12 schools and public charter schools in Alabama to accept campus chaplains starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
The State of Alabama recognizes the importance chaplains in K-12 schools. The people have spoken and the Alabama legislators delivered. (Last Action: Delivered to Governor on 04/08/2026)
Alabama joins Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Missouri in passing school chaplain legislation. Over thirty additional states, and growing, already have School Chaplain legislation in progress. Now, Alabama joins this movement spreading across America.
This is great news for schools because chaplains are already serving in other state, federal and marketplace sectors. The school experience needs and deserves the same spiritual care to be available upon request (not mandated, but readily accessible for those who desire the care).
One of the stipulations of this Alabama bill is that Chaplains complete recognized training. The National School Chaplain Academy provides such trusted training. NSCA already has proven experience and evidence-based-outcomes in providing school chaplains in twenty three other countries as well as here in America. Find out more at https://www.nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/certification
NSCA also agrees with Alabama that chaplains do not replace professional mental health counselors. Chaplains certainly do fill a void, especially when other care is unavailable. Chaplains provide spiritual, emotional and safe environmental support as an addition to the professional secular team.
Texas has especially embraced school chaplains. A particular school superintendent, having enjoyed the significant positive outcomes since hiring their chaplain, sends recommendation letters to other schools stating that; “You don’t know how much you need a school chaplain until after you have one!”
These recommendation letters and phone numbers are available to be sent to other school districts. NSCA would be happy to send to Alabama’s local school boards these references; as they vote regarding campus chaplains.
According to Alabama HB8, chaplains may serve in Alabama schools as long as they have cleared security background checks. Chaplains must have never been convicted of or adjudicated for offenses requiring sex offender registration.
The National School Chaplain Association wholeheartedly agrees with Alabama on this point. NSCA also performs official background secuity checks on all their chaplain students before allowed to enroll in chaplain academy. These official checks are repeated annually after certification and maintained on file. There is strict criteria for becoming a school chaplain.
The Alabama bill states that campus chaplains are not required to be certified by the state board of education. Chaplains are available to provide support to staff and students upon voluntary request.
The National School Chaplain Association upholds the 1st Amendment Clause that Chaplain care is never mandated nor coerced. NSCA Certified Chaplains are taught that their services are performed upon voluntarily requests. The Free Exercise Clause does allow expressions of religious beliefs for everyone, anywhere as long as no harm or intent to harm comes to others.
HB 8, sponsored by Rep. Mark Gidley, told the House Education Policy Committee; “This bill does not require a school board to adopt this. It just requires them to make a decision,” Rep. Gidley has also remarked that; “this could help teachers in rural counties who lack resources for mental health services and it could be a resource they could tap into when they may not be able to tap into other resources that could offer support.”
Alabama School Chaplains would be voted by local school boards and requested by teachers to serve the staff and teachers.
Read about the Bill atTrack 50, AL HB8https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1900051/11048#:~:text=This%20bill%20authorizes%20local%20boards,offenses%20requiri
And read the bill here:https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/HB8-enr.pdf
Sponsors:Mark Gidley (R)*, Jim Carns (R), Brock Colvin (R), Susan DuBose (R), Ben Harrison (R), Rolanda Hollis (D), Leigh Hulsey (R), Arnold Mooney (R), Tashina Morris (D), Kenneth Paschal (R), Phillip Rigsby (R), Patrick Sellers (D), Ginny Shaver (R), David Standridge (R),
The bill has been sent to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
Contact National School Chaplain Association as a source for more school chaplain information and to request certified chaplains for your schools.
Are you working in a school? Would you love to serve as a Campus Chaplain? If you're a coach, teacher, paraprofessional, security staff, or administrator who meets the ministry needs, you can get certified to step into this meaningful role. You're already present, trusted, and familiar with the students and campus culture. Plus, you can enjoy a discount on your training!
Now is a great time to support the National School Chaplain Association. Your donations double, dollar for dollar through the month of April, 2026 A longtime ministry partner has pledged $26,000 to match every dollar ($1 = $2), creating a $52,000 chest to certify 40 school employees as chaplains.
So, hurry…
About the Author:
Dorothy Kozar is a published author, public speaker and holds a Masters degree from Duke University. Functioning as an editorial writer for National School Chaplain Association (NSCA), and enjoying being a Certified Chaplain.
Prior to editorial writing, she retired as a self-employed Acute Care Nurse Practitioner providing peri-operative patient care including surgical assisting as a board certified CRNFA. She rounded out her 32 year career, as clinical director and manager of the Department of Robotic Surgery. Represented her field as Legislative Liaison for Operating Room Nurses, which led to the passing of a bill in the N.C. House. She met with legislators at D.C. and spoke there at a national nursing convention. Dorothy seeks to be an agent of change in supporting godly standards in schools, culture, local and national government. Likewise, as an ordained minister, a wife, mother and grandmother; her heart is to calibrate, educate and celebrate by demonstrating the freedom; whereby Christ has made us free.