Parents in Cy-Fair Independent School District lined up during Thursday evening’s board meeting to voice their concerns against
, a law that passed during the 2023 Texas legislative session that requires all school districts to vote by March 1 on whether to allow religious leaders to be employed as school counselors.
Dr. Tara Cummings, a parent, told ABC13 she would be one of the people speaking during public comment. She is a licensed mental health clinician and a vocal opponent of
.
“I’m very concerned. This law is dangerous,” Cummings said. “School counselors are certified, trained, and qualified. They have a governing body where they can be reported and investigated if there are concerns that they are not competent or harming students. But there is no requirement in SB-763 for school chaplains, so there’s no recourse.”
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School counselors typically have to meet several qualifications, such as having a master’s degree and at least two years of experience as a classroom teacher. But those specific qualifications wouldn’t apply to chaplains under this policy.