US EditionGov. Ferguson signs law to make clergy members mandatory reporters
- On May 2, 2025, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5375 requiring clergy to report child abuse, including information from confession.
- The bill emerged after years of debate and builds on failed attempts to close a reporting loophole excluding clergy from mandatory child abuse reporting.
- Supporters argue the law protects children and enforces mandatory reporting without exceptions for clergy-penitent privilege, while religious leaders warn it conflicts with church law about confession secrecy.
- Bishop Thomas Daly stated priests will uphold the seal of confession even if it means going to jail, while Gov. Ferguson emphasized protecting children as the law's priority.
- The law, effective July 1, 2026, may place Catholic priests in legal conflict due to mandatory reporting requirements that override sacramental confidentiality.
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34 Articles
Lackey and Paris Hilton announce children’s protection measure
News release Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, and Paris Hilton have announced their bipartisan measure, Assembly Bill 653, also known as The Child Abuse Mandated Entertainment Reporter Act (CAMERA), sponsored by Hilton’s nonprofit 11:11 Media Impact and joint-authored by Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio, D-Baldwin Park. This measure proposes greater protection for children in the entertainment industry by requiring talent agents, talent managers…
The Victoria Advocate
U.S. Justice Dept. to investigate new WA law requiring clergy to report child abuse
(The Center Square) – Just three days after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law a bill requiring religious leaders in Washington state to report child abuse or neglect – even when it’s disclosed in confession – the U.S. Justice Department…
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