Under a new agreement by Washington state officials, clergy members will remain mandatory reporters of child abuse, except when the information is obtained through confession or similar religious rites. State and county prosecutors will not enforce reporting requirements for information learned solely through confessional disclosures. This decision is part of the state’s response to lawsuits questioning the enforceability of such requirements against clergy.
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office developed the terms to comply with court directives while maintaining the intent of Senate Bill 5375, which was passed in May and expanded the list of mandatory reporters to include spiritual leaders. The law faced opposition from religious organizations that argued it infringed on religious freedom.
In most states, clergy are recognized as mandatory reporters who must notify authorities if they suspect child abuse or neglect. This group also includes professionals in education, healthcare, and child services. Washington’s effort to include clergy members in this list led to legal challenges centered on the confidentiality of confession.
Pending court approval, the agreement will resolve two federal lawsuits filed by religious organizations that claimed the reporting requirements violated their right to religious practice. Neither side will be responsible for legal fees or other costs. The agreement reflects an effort to reconcile child protection laws with religious confidentiality.
