A.G. Gancarski
K-12 students are one step closer to getting some lessons from designated “patriotic” groups and volunteer chaplains after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed off on allowing certain groups access to K-12 campuses.
However, some exceptions will apply when it comes to preachers and public-spirited groups allowed to influence Florida’s youth in taxpayer funded facilities, he stressed during a news conference in Kissimmee.
Rep. Wyman Duggan’s bill (HB 1317) allows representatives of so-called “patriotic organizations” time to meet with students and distribute recruitment materials, with schools providing designated time for these groups to pitch their attendees.
Per the final version of the bill, a “patriotic organization” is “a youth membership organization serving young people under the age of 21 with an educational purpose that promotes patriotism and civic involvement which is listed in Title 36” of federal code.
These groups include Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America, the Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Civil Air Patrol, Future Farmers of America, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Little League Baseball, the Marine Corps League and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.
“When you are engaged in extracurricular activities, that’s going to be a net positive for students,” DeSantis said Thursday.
“We think that’s good,” DeSantis added. “Not everyone knows what’s out there.”
These organizations are federally designated in code, meaning that exceptions would not be permitted. Parents, meanwhile, could opt out on behalf of their students.
The bill stipulates that these groups can use school buildings even after the instructional day is over, and stipulates that other groups don’t have the legal right to “equal time.” It also requires that schools set a time and date for the group to speak to students after “reasonable notice” was provided by one of these organizations.
“Districts have to notify parents … and give them the option to withdraw their consent,” DeSantis said, citing a guardrail in the language.
The Governor also signed HB 931. The bill will “authorize volunteer school chaplains to provide supports, services, and programs to students as assigned by the district school board or charter school governing board,” with districts implementing the chaplain proposal at their discretion.
DeSantis said there had been “confusion” about whether districts can bring volunteer chaplains in for “additional counseling and support,” saying “some students … need some soul craft.”
Under the legislation, School Boards will have to determine to which programs and services chaplains would be assigned, inform parents that chaplains be informed, and get parental consent before chaplains interacted with students.
“Parents must be permitted to select a volunteer school chaplain from the list provided by the school district, which must include the chaplain’s religious affiliation, if any,” the bill reads, noting that the list must be published on the district website.
The Governor added that written consent would be required from parents.
School Boards will have until the end of the year to decide what their policy might be on this issue.
Level 2 screening of both state and federal criminal records will be required under this legislation for all volunteer chaplains. The $37.25 cost for each screening will be absorbed by the volunteer or the School District.
Parents will select a volunteer school chaplain from the list provided by the school district; such a list would include the chaplain’s denomination. DeSantis noted that different areas would likely have different pastors and denominations, reflecting the spiritual traditions of the localities.
DeSantis billed the program as “providing our students with more resources,” saying that to “exclude religious groups from campus is discrimination.”
However, he said that “satanists” wouldn’t be allowed in schools under this “commonsense” proposal.” That’s a reference to the Satanic Temple, which has said it intends to participate in the program.
Regarding an inevitable “bogus” legal challenge to this legislation, DeSantis said that the American Civil Liberties Union saw the church as a “second-class citizen.”
The chaplain legislation had bipartisan sponsorship: Republican Rep. Stan McClain and Democratic Rep. Kim Daniels teamed up upon introduction, with Daniels tapping into her evangelist roots in a fiery close on the House floor that rebuked members of her own party who questioned the proposal.
“I am the opponent of this bill’s worst nightmare,” Daniels said. “I cast out devils, I pray in tongues, I’m a Holy Roller. But nobody on this floor can ever say I tried to convert you. Jesus is too good to push down anybody’s throats.”
46 comments
TallyPatriot
April 18, 2024 at 1:09 pm
No Satanists? Lawsuit will rectify that quickly.
MH/Duuuval
April 18, 2024 at 1:41 pm
Can “White Shoe” Duggan guarantee that there will be no groomers among the youth group leaders? Let’s at least require a police background check, eh?
Don’t
April 19, 2024 at 8:40 am
Yet it’s okay for colleges and universities all around this country to indoctrinate young and impressionable college students with their leftist ideology.
Michael K
April 19, 2024 at 11:13 am
You’ve not been on any college campus lately, have you?
These are young adults – not children – who think independently and don’t need the nanny state to tell them how to act, and what to think. And many more are working adults.
Dont Say FLA
April 19, 2024 at 12:29 pm
Yet you think young impressionable college students are mature and astute enough to incur loans in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars because G0P run states cost shifted state universities from state budgets to students because college students don’t know an APR from an apple. No bail out for people with predatory college loans despite their having been young and impressionable enough at the time of signing for leftist indoctrination (yet not old enough to strip). By the way, get your own username.
Silly Wabbit
April 21, 2024 at 11:06 am
Don’t kwazy.
Jay Smif
April 18, 2024 at 3:54 pm
So Fascist DeSantis gets to determine who is “patriotic” or not as well as being “exempt” from Sunshine Laws?
Michael K
April 18, 2024 at 4:18 pm
The Christo-fascist takeover is in full swing. America was founded on the separation of church and state for good reasons.
Pastor Pasta
April 23, 2024 at 4:42 pm
Yep, the 1st Amendment is basically moot at this point. It’s been destroyed and it’s destruction upheld by the fascists in the Supreme Court. The amendment’s meaning and intent is abundantly clear, but they don’t care.
More fake red meat
April 18, 2024 at 5:11 pm
The whole chaplain thing is more pointless window dressing that will just cause the public schools more time and money and set them up for lawsuits which the state will wash its hands, all while accomplishing less than zero (the only thing RD knows how to do). The fact is no one will use a school based chaplain system. People who already engage in faith based organizations will go to someone they know and trust. There are also already licensed school counselors at most schools and they may use those services. People who are not already engaged in faith based organizations or belief systems are not going to use this as a resource. So it’s just more stupid baggage from tiny D to say to the public school districts hey we’ve got you by the balls and there’s nothing you can do about it. More red tape and baggage. As far as the civic organizations go that has been a debate since my parents were in school. By the time I came around they had banned military access but it goes back and forth every decade.
rick whitaker
April 19, 2024 at 4:37 pm
MORE FAKE RED MEAT, why is ANY faith-based whatever allowed around our schools. i didn’t like it in the military. i told them i was a secular person, but they put ,NP on my dog tag. i do have a preference though, so i was mis-labeled on my tags.
FAKE RED MEAT
April 20, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Rick, I’m not saying it’s ok. I’m just saying it’s also stupid for a bunch of other reasons. Cue the lawsuits.
rick whitaker
April 20, 2024 at 10:36 pm
FRM, i didn’t think you thought it was ok. what i think that is not ok, is having to revert to lawsuits to reverse desantis destruction. i hope the law suits brings dsantis to his senses. does he have any senses?
John L
April 23, 2024 at 9:42 am
How much red meat does Floriduh need. We have Fascist one party rule government that does nothing to solve any of society problems the state has. Just more political theater from our part time governor who wasted a year and hundreds of millions of dollars on a joke presidential campaign ole pudding fingers had zero shot of winning because Destantis comes of mean and unlikable which he is.
nail
April 18, 2024 at 8:36 pm
Is there someone responsible for DeSantis besides FL Karen?
We should send the police for a
CANTWELL T AL. v. CONNECTICUT; Argued March 29, 1940.–Decided May 20, 1940.
1. The fundamental concept of liberty embodied in the 14th Amendment embraces the liberties guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.
2. The enactment by a State of any law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof is forbidden by the Fourteenth Amendment.
14th AMENDMENT, Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
1st AMENDMENT.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Hail Satan 😊
April 18, 2024 at 11:35 pm
Believe in one God, do we
Satan almighty
The uncreator of heaven and soil
And the unvisible and the visible
And in his son, begotten of father
By whom all things will be unmade
Who for man and his damnation
Incarnated, rise up from hell
From sitteth on the left hand of his father
From thence he shall come to judge
Out of one substance with Satan
Whose kingdom shall haveth no end
Earl Pitts "RON'S OFFICIAL "UNOFFICIAL VPOTUS CAMPAIGN MANAGER" American
April 19, 2024 at 1:20 am
Good Morn ‘Ting Sage Patriots and Dook 4 Brains Leftists,
STAND BY FOR NEWS:
As predicted by ME, Earl Pitts American, this Sage Legislation specifically granting access in Florida’s public schools to Chaplains and Sage Patriotic Groups has brought out the worst of the worst commentators. Please take a moment to read their disgusting posts above mine (as I know most normal folks just come here to read my, Earl Pitts American’s, postings of Sage Wisdom).
Again all the dregs of leftist society are “Wailing and Gnashing their Teeth” and/or “Squeeling Like Stuck Pigs” over this Sage Legislation designed to bring God, Guts, and Glory back into our Florida Schools. Along with bringing Truth, Justice, and The American Way back into our Florida Schools.
Oh what fun it is to watch The Heathens Rage against The Great State of Florida for Taking Back Our Schools along with The Hearts, Minds, and Souls of Florida’s Precious Childern.
So enjoy this “Win For Us Good Guys” and “Relax Your Political Sphincters” as we beat back The Forces Of Evil here in Florida and Take Back our Precious Childern from The Clutches of The Evil Demonic Dook 4 Brains Left.
AND THAT IS “THE REST OF THE STORY”:
Its been a Joy and Pleasure to bringing unto you These Great Tidings of Comfort and Joy,
Earl Pitts American.
*FREE BUMPER STICKER*
*FLORIDA IS KICKING THE DEVIL OUT OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ….. THANKS RON*
JD
April 19, 2024 at 8:49 am
Only a GOP Groomer would have the words “Relaxed … Sphincters” and “Precious Child[re]n” in the same comment.
You need to be in jail Shitts, that’s the REAL rest of the story.
MH/Duuuval
April 19, 2024 at 2:57 pm
I keep urging sphincter man to apply to the JSO for the strip-search squad — he could be the third member of the team, the one who sings out if the victim is clenching.
rick whitaker
April 19, 2024 at 7:19 pm
JD, has anyone in north florida where earl pitts, aka gary burbank, aka billy purser lives ever checked in on getting law enforcement to check the stories about him oout?
rick whitaker
April 19, 2024 at 4:41 pm
EARL, people that believe in religion are stupid, did you not get the memo? the WHOLE bible is a pack of brain-washing controlling lies. so, in a nutshell, that is your real problem, you believe in 2000 year old fairy tales.
Groomer Earl
April 21, 2024 at 8:10 am
Groomer Earl has spoke
wake me up when you're done
April 19, 2024 at 8:41 am
Way to Go Rona and the Florida GOP! Let’s get rid of church and state separation! Let’s have our public school kids taught sex ed for free by the Boy Scout leaders and Catholic Priests who are well trained in child rape like Pitts. Thank God my kids are grown and out of college. Rona and the GOP are like flypaper for every right wing fringe idea that gets cooked up by Fix Entertainment TV, So-called Christian White Nationalists, Satan and the Russian Mob. WTF is up with my state? RIP Bob Graham and the real leadership who actually cared for us. Pox on Ron!
MH/Duuuval
April 19, 2024 at 10:27 pm
And, the Ol’ He Coon walks just before dawn …
Don’t
April 19, 2024 at 9:00 am
I see lots of comments from people that were probably programmed by the leftist faculties at our universities and colleges. They probably haven’t paid a nickel of their student loans either.
JD
April 19, 2024 at 9:38 am
What does that have to do with religion in public schools / government? I don’t see these supposed leftists pushing “faith” over “facts”.
And these pastor’s Churches probably haven’t paid a nickle in taxes that would be used to forgive those student loans either.
Jojo
April 22, 2024 at 6:53 am
When they don’t have the truth on their side they resort to ad hominem attacks. Much easier than doing their homework
Michael K
April 19, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Old people still tied to cable and their Fox “news” and “Newsman” addictions are the ones being programmed. Both outlets spew lies and angertainment to the “uneducated” and as Trump calls them.
fake red meat
April 20, 2024 at 4:31 pm
I think there’s enough programming to go around on all sides and isolating against older people is not accurate. TikTok devotees have their own group think versions but there are smart vs susceptible people in every demographic, age etc. The septuagenarians and octogenarians I know have no tolerance for any of the bs that counts as news or politics today. The young ones drink the cool aid from both sides just as readily as the stereotype of older folks you allude to but thankfully I don’t know any like that. I also don’t live near the villages. LOL
Michael K
April 21, 2024 at 11:38 am
Old people are the ones who still have cable – the vast majority of people under 40 have fled cable television.
rick whitaker
April 21, 2024 at 12:24 pm
MICHAELK, a LOT of the young people i know watch any channel they want for free on a torrent site. so they get All the cable channels.
rick whitaker
April 21, 2024 at 12:32 pm
FAKEMEAT, i am 71 and i watch all the legitimate news. my personal favorite is TYT. i try to watch fox or newsmax, but it is just a pack of lies for the most part, so i don’t need that.
My Take
April 20, 2024 at 10:13 pm
angertainment
=====
Excellent!
Dont Say FLA
April 19, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Get your own username. For you, I recommend “Impotent Trollbot”
rick whitaker
April 19, 2024 at 3:25 pm
DON’T, that probably word gets in your way. some people see or hear or believe what they want to. that makes them FEEL right, regardless of the facts involved.
rick whitaker
April 20, 2024 at 10:38 pm
DON’T, you’re lying.
Silly Wabbit
April 21, 2024 at 11:05 am
Don’t kwazy.
Dont Say FLA
April 19, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Careful with exclusion of Satanists, there, Rhonda.
Satan is a just a boogeyman character from the Christian Bible.
Thus, Satanism is a Christian sect. Ban Satan and you’re banning Christianity.
Chris
April 20, 2024 at 3:15 pm
Congrats on your loyalty to the Blue Kool-Aid and the propaganda they feed to the American public each day. You won’t realize until it is too late how wrong you are. Unfortunate that we all have to suffer for the ignorance of the Left.
rick whitaker
April 20, 2024 at 10:40 pm
CHRIS, are you a russian bot? your post is pure putin bs
Dont Say FLA
April 23, 2024 at 3:33 pm
Thanks for that. I am always happy to be deprogrammed and learn the truth. Please bless me with your knowledge of where Satan comes from if not the Christian bible. As far as I know, not even the Jews believe in that Satan nonsense, and the Jewish Torah is the same as the Christian OT. The difference is the Christian New Testament which is where the story of Satan was invented. Or so I thought. Where did Satan actually come from? Enlighten me. Please! TYIA
My Take
April 20, 2024 at 10:24 pm
Are the “Trump is God” or “Trump is the Second Coming” MAGA fringers organized enough yet to offer formal clerics?
Trumpatollas? MAGAmullahs?
Grooming Ron and His Church Cult
April 21, 2024 at 8:11 am
I heard a rumor that Florida is for groomers.
Jojo
April 22, 2024 at 6:51 am
So DeSantes, your “ patriotic” is my indoctrination.
Were you playing hooky the day they taught the separation of church and state part of the constitution?
What happen to americanism
April 23, 2024 at 7:27 am
The subject ‘ what ever gets you through good grades for a productive economy 😉
I have a feeling it is not really all about natural elements of law or moral realism
Molesting Madness
April 24, 2024 at 7:35 am
Can somebody please start a website with a counter of number of students molested, assaulted, raped or other by one of Rhonda’s Flag Waving Chaplain Goon Squad?
Well be super kind and start the counter at zero, limiting specifically to the adult men placed in schools by Rhonda for his masturbatory purpose of MAGAdoctrinating Florida’s lost children