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Bill

HB 1211

Concerning the duty of clergy to report child abuse and neglect.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Callan and 14 co-sponsors

HB 1211 requires Washington clergy to report suspected child abuse to authorities, removing religious confidentiality exemptions from mandatory reporting laws.

Referred to Appropriations.
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Bill Summary · HB 1211

Legislative bill overview

HB 1211 would require clergy members in Washington to report suspected child abuse and neglect to authorities, similar to mandatory reporting duties imposed on other professionals like teachers and healthcare workers. Currently, Washington law includes a clergy-penitent privilege that creates an exception to mandatory reporting requirements in certain circumstances.

Why is this important

Child protection depends on early identification and reporting of abuse. This bill addresses a gap where religious confidentiality protections may prevent disclosure of child safety concerns to law enforcement or child protective services. The outcome directly affects whether clergy-reported information can help identify and protect vulnerable children.

Potential points of contention

  • Religious freedom and conscience: Opponents argue mandatory reporting undermines the sanctity of confession and clergy-penitent privilege, which is constitutionally protected in many contexts and central to certain religious practices
  • Scope of the penitent privilege exception: Disagreement over whether any religious confidentiality should be maintained versus complete elimination, and how to define reportable situations
  • Practical enforcement challenges: Questions about how authorities would verify clergy compliance and whether this creates liability risks for religious institutions and individual clergy members

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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