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2w ago

DOJ Investigates Washington Law Requiring Clergy to Report Confessional Abuse Disclosures

Catholic leaders vow defiance as federal probe questions First Amendment implications of Washington’s SB 5375, set to take effect in July.

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The U.S. Justice Department is investigating a new Washington state law that requires clergy members to report suspected child abuse, the agency announced May 5.
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Overview

  • Washington State’s SB 5375, signed into law on May 2, 2025, mandates clergy to report child abuse disclosures made during confession, overriding the sacramental seal.
  • The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation, citing potential violations of the First Amendment’s free exercise clause.
  • Catholic bishops in Washington have pledged to uphold the seal of confession, even if it leads to imprisonment or excommunication under Church law.
  • The law uniquely excludes clergy from privileged communication protections afforded to other professionals, such as attorneys and therapists.
  • The statute, which aligns Washington with only two other states in removing confessional exemptions, is scheduled to take effect on July 27, 2025.