1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed Iowa chaplain bill that would allow unlicensed, religiously affiliated chaplains into public schools. This bill is a clear and dangerous violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and undermines the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. Public schools serve children of all faiths—and of no faith. Introducing religious figures into this environment, particularly in official roles, risks coercion, exclusion, and division. It opens the door for not just Christian clergy, but for religious representatives of any faith to seek access to public schools—Wiccan, Satanist, Muslim, Pagan, or others. This is precisely why the framers of the Constitution chose to keep religious institutions and state functions separate. Allowing religious chaplains into schools bypasses professional mental health qualifications and erodes the neutrality our public institutions are required to maintain. Religion belongs in homes, places of worship, and hearts—not in public school administrative roles. I urge you to reject this bill and any attempt to insert religion into the governance of our public schools. Uphold the Constitution, protect students’ rights, and maintain the clear boundary between church and state that has served this nation.