Florida Governor DeSantis signs bill granting access to chaplains in public schools

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed this week a bill allowing the presence of chaplains and "patriotic organizations" in public schools, as well as their distributions of "certain materials," state outlet Local 10 reported.

"Faith leaders and civic organizations are important additional resources for students who may be facing challenges or need to build community and camaraderie," said DeSantis. "I'm pleased to be able to expand the variety of options that students have at their disposal in school and we have no doubt that these options will enhance the experiences of our students."

The organizations authorized include Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Girl and Boy Scouts of America, the Marine Corps League, Navy Seals Cadet Corps and Little League Baseball. Moreover, volunteer chaplains will be allowed to provide support to students.

School districts will have to notify parents of the latter's presence, as well as their offered services and religious association. Students who take them up will need written parental consent.

The law, dubbed HB 931, will go into effect on July 1. School districts will have until the first day of next year to determine whether they want to take part in it or not.

Florida's education system has gotten national attention over the past weeks. Governor DeSantis also passed this week a law that requires that all elementary and secondary students receive lessons on the history of communism.

"We're going to tell the truth about communism in the state of Florida, we're going to tell the truth about the evils of communism," said DeSantis in a press conference following the signature of the law.

Under the bill, the Florida Department of Education would "prepare and offer" standards for the "age appropriate and developmentally appropriate" instruction on the history of communism for all grade levels.

The legislation not only focuses on the inclusion of this subject in the school environment but also foresees the creation of the Institute for Freedom in the Americas, located at Miami Dade College that is meant "to preserve the ideals of a free society and promote democracy in the Americas."

According to USA Today, the bill passed with bipartisan support, with only seven Democrats in the Florida House and Senate voting against.

DeSantis also signed on Tuesday a bill revising a state law restricting hundreds of books and classroom materials that can face challenges within school districts.

This came less than a year after he enacted a legislation resulting in the removal of a number of books from public school libraries.

It was a U-turn for DeSantis who, while aiming for Republican presidential primary, campaigned extensively on his education platform, which included advocating for the law that grants individuals greater power to challenge books.