{"id":2972,"date":"2025-01-20T13:12:36","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T21:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/frame\/?p=2972"},"modified":"2025-01-20T13:12:36","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T21:12:36","slug":"frame-introduces-clergy-mandatory-reporting-of-child-abuse-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/frame\/2025\/01\/20\/frame-introduces-clergy-mandatory-reporting-of-child-abuse-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Frame Introduces Clergy Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sen. Noel Frame (D-Seattle) introduced SB 5375<\/a>, legislation to make clergy members\u00a0mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect.<\/p>\n

Currently, Washington is one of just five states in the country that does not list\u00a0clergy\u00a0as mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect.<\/p>\n

In 2023,\u00a0Frame\u00a0introduced similar legislation,\u00a0SB 5280<\/a>, which failed to pass because of disagreement whether to include an exemption for\u00a0clergy\u00a0who learned about abuse during confession. In 2024, Frame introduced an updated version, SB 6298<\/a>, which proposed a compromise by establishing a \u201cduty to warn\u201d for abuse disclosed in confession. That bill also failed to pass.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been far too long that we\u2019ve failed to close this loophole and provide the protections children need from abuse,\u201d Frame said. \u201cI 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 \u2014 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frame\u00a0is 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen 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,\u201d Frame said. \u201cKids need to know that if they ask a trusted adult like a faith leader for help, they\u2019ll get help. Mandatory reporters play an essential role in protecting children, and extending this responsibility to the\u00a0clergy,\u00a0who play such an important role in our lives as mentors and community leaders, is the right thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sen. Noel Frame (D-Seattle) introduced SB 5375, legislation to make clergy members\u00a0mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect. Currently, Washington is one of just five states in the country that does not list\u00a0clergy\u00a0as mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect. In 2023,\u00a0Frame\u00a0introduced similar legislation,\u00a0SB 5280, which failed to pass because of disagreement whether to include an exemption for\u00a0clergy\u00a0who learned about abuse during confession. In 2024, Frame introduced an updated version, SB 6298, which proposed a compromise by establishing a \u201cduty to warn\u201d for abuse disclosed in confession. That bill also failed to pass. This year\u2019s new policy proposal would require…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":1781,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-release"],"yoast_head":"\nFrame Introduces Clergy Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill - Sen. 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