Tag: washington state catholic conference

Washington passes historic law mandating clergy report child abuse, ending clergy-penitent privilege, like the Catholic confessional, after decades of resistance.

WA’s SB 5375 adds clergy as mandatory child abuse reporters — even for confessions. Survivors await Gov. Ferguson’s signature by May 15.

WA lawmakers passed a bill ending clergy-penitent privilege in child abuse cases and listing clergy as mandatory reporters, sending it to the governor after a 3-year push.

Washington lawmakers push bills requiring clergy to report child abuse, sparking fierce debate over confession privacy. Catholic bishops vow to protect confessional despite abuse reporting mandate.

After failing a year ago, Washington state lawmakers are trying again this session to pass a bill that would make clergy mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect.