Thread by @RobertDownen_

#BREAKING Texas lawmakers have OK'd allowing unlicensed religious chaplains to work in mental health roles in schools, despite concerns the bill is a "Trojan horse" for evangelism & will worsen the state's mental health crisis. @TexasTribune #txlege texastribune.org/2023/05/24/tex…

The bill allows Texas schools to use school safety funds to pay for unlicensed chaplains. Volunteer chaplains will also be allowed. #txlege texastribune.org/2023/05/24/tex…

Last week, we reported that a key supporter of the chaplains bill has, for decades, also led another group that touted its use of school chaplains to spread the Gospel. Bill opponents feared as much. #txlege

https://twitter.com/RobertDownen_/status/1659599211342471171?s=20

Texas Freedom Network said Wednesday that the bill violates children's religious freedom and called it "egregious" that lawmakers passed a law that redirects safety $$ to chaplains -- on the one-year anniversary of the Uvalde shooting. #txlege texastribune.org/2023/05/24/tex…

A great look at the coalition of right wingers, Christian Nationalists and education leaders who drove the chaplains bill, and how it fits into their broader mission to inject their religion into public life. via @jackmjenkins
religionnews.com/2023/05/24/mee…

Here is State Board of Education member Julie Pickren posing last month with Rocky Malloy, whose group was key to pushing the chaplains bill, and Rafael Cruz, father to Ted and longtime Christian Nationalist leader. h/t @jackmjenkins