The Utah House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill that would shield clergy from criminal and civil liability if they report ongoing child abuse and neglect discovered during religious confessions.
The bill, HB432 , advanced to the Senate with a 64-0 vote Friday afternoon, marking broad consensus on the effort to protect both children and clergy-penitent privilege in the state. It will now proceed to the Senate for committee consideration.
“This bill aims to increase child protection while maintaining respect for religious liberty,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Anthony Loubet, R-Kearns, prior to the final vote.
The bill would amend the state’s child abuse reporting requirements to include legal protections for members of the clergy who report cases of ongoing abuse or neglect learned through a religious confession.
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