Washington will not require priests to report child abuse disclosed in confession

Washington has decided against enforcing a law that would have required clergy to report child abuse disclosed in confession. Legal filings confirm that the state will not proceed with this controversial provision, which added clergy to a list of mandatory reporters of suspected abuse. Catholic bishops and Orthodox churches filed lawsuits, claiming this requirement violated their First Amendment rights. A federal judge's injunction has prevented enforcement since the law took effect on July 27. Attorney General Nick Brown emphasized that this settlement maintains crucial aspects of the law while allowing the legislature to address identified issues.

The law was signed by Governor Bob Ferguson in May after being approved during the legislative session. Reactions to the decision were divided, with religious leaders celebrating the protection of confession while a child advocacy leader condemned the outcome as a failure to protect children. The law defined clergy broadly, including various religious leaders, but now will not force them to disclose confessional information.