Washington state reaches agreement to preserve key portions of law requiring clergy to report child abuse

Clergy in Washington will remain mandatory reporters under stipulations filed today by the state Attorney General's Office and the plaintiffs in lawsuits against the state over Senate Bill 5375. Under the stipulations, however, the state and county prosecutors have agreed-as the court ordered-not to enforce reporting requirements for information clergy learn solely through confession or its equivalent in other faiths. The stipulation now awaits approval by the court.

"Today's agreement respects the court's decision in this case and maintains important protections for children," said Attorney General Nick Brown. "It keeps crucial portions of Washington's mandatory reporting law in place, while also preserving the Legislature's authority to address issues with the law identified by the court."

A majority of states list clergy as mandatory reporters, and Washington joined this group with the passage of SB 5375 in May 2025. Mandatory reporters are required to tell authorities if they suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, and include people working in many professions, including teachers, childcare workers, and medical practitioners.

The stipulations will end two federal lawsuits brought by religious organizations, both of which alleged that requiring members of the clergy to disclose child abuse or neglect they learn of during confession would be a violation of their right to exercise their religious beliefs.

Washington will not pay any attorney's fees or other costs to the plaintiffs.

Copies of the stipulations are available here and here.

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Washington's Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state's largest law firm, the Attorney General's Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington's 39 counties. Visit https://www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

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