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2d ago

Washington Law Compels Clergy to Report Confessions, DOJ Investigates First Amendment Concerns

Catholic bishops vow to defy the law, which mandates priests break the confessional seal to report child abuse, as federal authorities probe its constitutionality.

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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's SB 5375, signed into law on May 2, 2025, requires clergy to report child abuse learned in confession, eliminating the traditional confessional privilege.
  • The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation, citing potential First Amendment violations and concerns about singling out clergy without similar mandates for other privileged professions.
  • Catholic bishops in Washington have declared they will not comply with the law, warning priests who break the confessional seal will face excommunication under Church doctrine.
  • The law, which passed the state legislature with significant Democratic support, is set to take effect on July 26, 2025, unless successfully challenged or delayed.
  • Washington joins New Hampshire and West Virginia as the only U.S. states without exceptions for clergy in mandatory reporting laws, intensifying debates on religious freedom and child protection.