1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

The proposed Arizona bill to allow chaplains in schools is deeply concerning and raises serious constitutional issues. Allowing religious figures with minimal qualifications to serve as counselors sends the wrong message about the separation of church and state. Credentials and professional training, not religious affiliation, should be the primary criteria when providing mental health support to students. The amendments further exacerbate these problems by explicitly requiring chaplains to acknowledge supernatural entities and prohibiting non-theistic individuals from participating. This blatant discrimination against non-religious viewpoints violates the Establishment Clause and excludes qualified secular counselors solely based on their beliefs. Schools should prioritize student wellbeing by employing licensed, professionally-trained counselors and allocating funding towards evidence-based mental health resources. Introducing chaplains with dubious qualifications will likely do more harm than good, particularly for non-Christian or LGBTQ+ students seeking unbiased support. I urge you to reject this unconstitutional bill that undermines secular public education. Instead, focus efforts on improving access to comprehensive, inclusive counseling services that respect the religious and philosophical diversity of all students. Preserving a strict separation between church and state protects religious freedom for everyone.