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HB 2352

Requiring a duly ordained minister of religion to report certain abuse and neglect except when reporting would violate the penitential communication privilege and requiring training for persons obligated to report abuse and neglect.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Expands mandatory reporters to include duly ordained ministers of religion, with a narrow penitential-communication exception, and requires training for all reporters.

Died in Senate Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2352

HB 2352 — Summary (Kansas, 2025)

Status: Introduced Feb 3, 2025; referred to House Committee on Judiciary.

Purpose

Amend K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 38-2223 to (1) add “duly ordained ministers of religion” to the list of mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse/neglect, with a narrow exception for communications protected by the penitential-communication privilege (K.S.A. 60-429), and (2) require training for all persons obligated to report abuse or neglect.

Key provisions

  • Mandatory reporters: Adds “any duly ordained minister of religion” to the existing list of persons required to report when they have reason to suspect a child has been harmed by physical, mental/emotional abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse. The ministerial reporting requirement does not apply when the suspicion arises solely from a penitential communication protected under K.S.A. 60-429.
  • Scope of reporting: Applies when a reporter has reason to suspect a child is a “child in need of care” due to abuse/neglect or sexual abuse. Reports may be made orally (with written follow-up if requested) and must include known identifying and factual information; reporters must disclose protected health information and cooperate with DCF and law enforcement during investigations.
  • Where to report: Reports are to be made to the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), except when DCF is closed (then to law enforcement), and special routing for certain institutional settings (e.g., corrections).
  • Training requirement: Every person described as a mandatory reporter must complete training on the reporting provisions either (a) prior to July 1, 2026, or (b) within six months after becoming subject to reporting duties after that date. Training is to be provided by DCF or a DCF-approved partner.
  • Penalties and protections:
    • Willful, knowing failure to report; intentionally preventing a report; and knowingly making a false report are class B misdemeanors.
    • Good-faith reporters and participants in investigations or related judicial proceedings are granted civil immunity.

Who is affected

  • Directly affects ministers (newly added), and existing categories of mandatory reporters: medical and mental-health professionals, teachers and school staff, childcare providers, firefighters/EMS, law enforcement, juvenile/court services/community corrections personnel, certain case managers/mediators, and staff/volunteers at social-service organizations serving pregnant teens.
  • Indirectly affects DCF (report intake and investigations), the Judicial Branch (possible increased filings/workload), and local law enforcement.

Fiscal and operational impacts (per DCF fiscal note, Feb. 19, 2025)

  • DCF projects reports to the Kansas Protection Report Center will increase by about 1.0% annually after enactment.
  • DCF estimates an additional Protection Specialist position with salary and benefits costing approximately $89,000 beginning FY2026.
  • Judicial Administration expects a possible increase in district-court cases and staff time; fiscal impact on Judicial Branch expenditures cannot be precisely estimated. Additional docket fees from potential new filings would be deposited to the State General Fund.

Effective date and statute changes

  • Amends K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 38-2223 (repeals existing section and replaces it).
  • Bill states it takes effect and is in force from and after its publication in the statute book.

Notes

  • The bill balances expanding mandatory reporting to include ordained ministers while preserving the longstanding penitential-communication privilege.
  • Training deadlines and DCF-delivered/approved content aim to standardize reporter understanding of obligations.

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

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