Gov. DeSantis signs bills allowing chaplains at schools and ‘patriotic’ organizations

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke about enhancing the student experience in the state’s education system by signing two bills into law while in Kissimmee.

DeSantis remarked on how beneficial extra-curricular activities are during a news conference on Thursday.

During the conference, he mentioned the signing of House Bill 1317, which authorizes school districts to allow patriotic figures to enter public school buildings and speak to the student population.

The patriotic figures can hand out paraphernalia while on-premises and provide opportunities for some displays regarding patriotic organizations.

DeSantis then listed examples of what classifies as a patriotic organization:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
• The Boy Scouts of America
• The Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• The Civil Air Patrol
• Future Farmers of America
• The Girl Scouts of the United States of America
• Little League Baseball
• The Marine Corps League
• The Navy Seal Cadet Corps 

“Our view is letting them come in and pitch to students about their organizations,” said DeSantis.

Districts must notify parents about an organization bringing representatives to the schools.

It will then be up to the parents’ discretion to allow their children to participate in the events.

DeSantis then announced the signing of House Bill 931, which establishes state-wide school chaplains to offer voluntary services to support individual student needs.

The legislation clarifies what volunteer services chaplains can offer to students.

The bill will require school districts and charter schools to publish specified information under certain circumstances.

Again, parents may elect not to allow their children to participate in the chaplain programs.

DeSantis then pointed out that the Church of Satan would not be allowed to participate in this program as he believes that it “does not qualify to participate” under the new law.

“Some have said that if you do a school chaplain program, somehow you’re gonna have Satanists running around all of our schools,” said DeSantis. “Just understand, we’re not playing those games in Florida. That is not a religion.”

He then said the programs would be run by “common sense” to a round of applause.

He then signed both bills into law.

A media representative for the Church of Satan responded saying it would have no interest in the program.

“The Church of Satan does not now, nor has it ever, practice proselytization of our religion.  Religious indoctrination of any kind, particularly of children, is a disgusting practice that we want nothing to do with. So, we would not be interested in participating in Governor DeSantis’ school Chaplin program, as it is in direct conflict with the beliefs and tenets of Satanism.”

They continued to mention, “It is likely that Governor DeSantis is confusing us with a left-wing
political activist group known as The Satanic Temple. This is a group that engages in political stunting … and uses inflammatory language for the purpose of getting a rise out of Christians, and as usual, Christians like DeSantis have fallen for it.”

You can watch the full news conference in the video above.