New Washington law making clergy mandatory reporters of abuse draws investigation by US Justice Department

Earlier this month, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill into law that now requires clergy to be mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect. Under SB 5375, clergy in Washington must report suspected abuse or neglect to authorities even if they learn of it during so-called penitential communications, such as confessions. The bill was first introduced in 2023 after reporting by InvestigateWest described how a lack of a mandatory reporting requirement for clergy in Washington may have played a role in helping Jehovah’s Witnesses in the state hide allegations of child sexual abuse.  

As reported earlier by InvestigateWest, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it is opening an investigation into SB 5375, which it claims appears to violate the free exercise of religion under the First Amendment. Joining us to discuss the new law is the bill’s sponsor, Democratic Washington state Sen. Noel Frame, who represents Seattle in the state’s 36th Legislative District.