Religious leaders in Florida schools can now officially engage with children following the governor’s signing of a law in Osceola County on Thursday morning.
Governor Ron DeSantis convened a conference at Tohopekaliga High School to endorse two new bills, HB 1317 and HB 931, aimed at bolstering mental health support for students in Florida and improving their educational experience.
The event took place in front of a sign displaying the message “Supporting Florida’s Students.”
HB 1317 grants school districts the authority to invite “patriotic organizations” to promote and foster student engagement and participation in such groups.
DeSantis identified these groups as including organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, The Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Future Farmers of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and others.
The governor emphasized that it is incumbent upon the district to transparently communicate to parents whenever a new organization is introduced to a school.
Subsequently, he stated that families have the autonomy to determine whether or not they wish for their students to be subjected to the influence of the organization.
DeSantis asserts that the organizations will have the opportunity to enter schools, explain their activities, and then motivate kids to get involved.
DeSantis signed the second law, HB 931, which implements a school chaplain program across the whole state.
The governor asserts that this act elucidates the permissibility of schools to extend invitations to volunteer chaplains, who can offer supplementary counseling and other services to pupils who express a need for such assistance.
DeSantis stated that pupils will only have access to this type of assistance if a parent gives explicit written permission.
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