DeSantis vows to keep Satanists out of new chaplain program for public schools

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that allows for public schools to have chaplains to provide support services to students in K-12, but he said he would not be including the Satanic Temple members in the legislation.   

The law is set to go into effect on July 1.   

In a post on the governor's social media, he commented that Florida will be "establishing a statewide school chaplain program in Florida to support students and ensuring that patriotic organizations can visit schools and encourage student participation."  

In the graphic along with the comments, it said that the "faith leaders on campus offer a voluntary alternative mental health resource for students that stems from a higher power than government."  

When DeSantis announced the law last week in a press conference, he stated people may think “somehow, you’re gonna have Satanists running around in all our schools?” 

“Listen - we're not playing those games in Florida. That is not a religion,” he continued.  

"We're gonna be using common sense," DeSantis added. "You don't have to worry about that."  

He then compared the program being introduced in Florida to the chaplain program that is part of the military.   

HB 931 allows public schools to "adopt a policy to authorize volunteer school chaplains to provide support, services, and programs to students as assigned by the district school board or charter school governing board."  

Background screening is required for those who volunteer as chaplains and parents must provide consent before any "student participates in or receives supports, services, and programs provided by a volunteer school chaplain."