School chaplain and religious instruction bills advance. (Getty Images)
Lines between church and state blurred at the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday as lawmakers gave the go-ahead for two education bills that seek to increase students’ access to faith leaders and religious instruction.
One proposal, House Bill 1137 , would require schools to approve parental requests for students to leave school during the day for religious instruction. A separate measure, Senate Bill 50 , could bring paid chaplains into Indiana’s public schools. Both bills advanced from their assigned committees and now head to the respective chambers for further consideration.
“Quite simply, this just gives the parent more control over their student,” said Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer, who authored the House bill. “If the students can go off-site and learn character qualities, and become better students, they’re going to have a greater experience in the classroom, and I think that’s really important.”
Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer (Photo from Indiana House Republicans)