The Washington state Senate approved a bill on Friday that requires religious leaders to serve as mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Advocates believe this legislation is essential for safeguarding children, particularly against sexual abuse, while critics warn it could have unintended negative consequences.
Senate Bill 5375 stipulates that members of the clergy will be classified as mandatory reporters, similar to doctors, teachers, and other professionals who interact with children. Under this law, religious leaders must report any suspicions of harm to a child to law enforcement or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, regardless of whether the information was disclosed during a confession or other confidential communication.
This marks the third attempt in recent years to establish clergy as mandatory reporters, with previous efforts stalling over exemptions for information obtained in confessional settings. Senator Noel Frame, a Democrat from Seattle and the bill’s primary sponsor, emphasized that religious leaders have a duty to report suspected abuse to enable state intervention.
Republicans expressed support for previous initiatives to classify clergy as mandatory reporters but raised concerns about the lack of an exemption for confessional information in this bill. They argue that this could discourage individuals from openly discussing their issues with religious leaders, potentially exacerbating harm. Additionally, they contend that the bill infringes on First Amendment rights regarding the free practice of religion, potentially alienating individuals from their faith and its leaders.
The bill passed with a vote of 28-20, with two Democratic senators joining all present Republicans in opposition. It will now move to the House, where it will undergo further review and committee referral.
While the legislation requires clergy to report any suspected child neglect learned during confession, Frame noted that their privilege to avoid testifying in criminal proceedings remains unaffected. Currently, Washington is one of only five states where clergy are not considered mandatory reporters, and Frame believes this needs to change in light of recent revelations about churches concealing abuse against children.
