Sen. Noel Frame (D-Seattle) introduced SB 5375, legislation to make clergy members mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect.

Currently, Washington is one of just five states in the country that does not list clergy as mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect.

In 2023, Frame introduced similar legislation, SB 5280, which failed to pass because of disagreement whether to include an exemption for clergy who learned about abuse during confession. In 2024, Frame introduced an updated version, SB 6298, which proposed a compromise by establishing a “duty to warn” for abuse disclosed in confession. That bill also failed to pass.

This year’s new policy proposal would require clergy to report information about child abuse to law enforcement or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, regardless of whether it was learned during confession. In those cases where the information was learned in confession, clergy would be required to report the abuse to authorities, but would still retain the privilege to not be compelled to testify in a court case or criminal proceedings, should they choose not to do so.

“It’s been far too long that we’ve failed to close this loophole and provide the protections children need from abuse,” Frame said. “I want to see the Legislature have the tough conversations, find the common ground, and pass this bill into law this year. I know this is a hard subject for many of my colleagues, especially those with deep religious views. I respect that. I also know far too many children have been victims of abuse — the Legislature has a duty to act. I think this is a proposal that can protect kids and get the votes to pass this year.”

Frame is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, which occurred from the ages 5 to 10 by a family member, and the abuse ended only once she told a teacher who was a mandatory reporter.

“When we recognize the cycles of violence and sexual abuse, how this can repeat itself generation after generation, we see the need for public policy to intervene,” Frame said. “Kids need to know that if they ask a trusted adult like a faith leader for help, they’ll get help. Mandatory reporters play an essential role in protecting children, and extending this responsibility to the clergy, who play such an important role in our lives as mentors and community leaders, is the right thing to do.”

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