SEATTLE – Months of legal battles may have an end in sight as Washington state agrees to new stipulations in a clergy abuse reporting bill signed into law back in May.
The bill was previously blocked by a federal court due to concerns over religious freedom. Now, an agreement should settle the disputes.
What has changed in the law making clergy mandatory reporters in WA?
The state and county prosecutors have agreed not to enforce certain requirements for clergy to report suspicion of child abuse if the information is obtained solely through confession. This applies to other similar equivalents in other faiths.
This puts the state in line with the federal court order. The stipulation now awaits approval by the court.
What is a mandatory reporter?
Mandatory reporters are required to tell authorities if they suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, and include people working in many professions, including teachers, childcare workers, and medical practitioners,” according to a statement from the attorney general’s office.…