The Committee on Family and Veterans' Services proposes the following amendment (SR-3798.QG0002S):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 25-1-180(A) and inserting:

 (A) Military chaplains serving in any of the three militia classes, National Guard, State Guard, organized militia not in National Guard Service, or and the unorganized militia, shall:
  (1) be properly ordained and endorsed for militia service by a recognized military-endorsing agency, as well as any specific qualifications required by any of the three militia classes; and
  (2) wear uniforms properly identifying their status as chaplains appropriate to their militia status and as defined by their militia class; and
  (2)(3) possess privileged communication with all militia members, authorized dependents, and authorized personnel as defined by each militia class. The privilege also may be claimed on behalf of the person by the chaplain who received the communication.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 1, Section 25-1-180, by adding a subsection to read:

 (F) The State shall recognize the clergy-penitent privilege for all militia classes as well as for any active duty or reserve chaplain, whether in status or not, as long as the communication is with a member who would normally be covered under the clergy-penitent privilege and as long as that communication is made as a formal act of religion or as a matter of conscience.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.