Utah faith leaders who learn about ongoing child abuse from a perpetrator during a religious confession will be able to alert police without fear of legal ramifications under a bill that received final legislative approval Thursday in the state Senate. The measure extends to clergy members the same legal protections that exist for mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect, such as doctors, teachers or therapists. It passed the Senate in a 26-0 vote after receiving similarly unanimous approval in the House earlier this month.
The Utah House of Representatives approved a bill to provide legal protection to clergy who voluntarily report ongoing child abuse or neglect they learn of through confession.
Utah hasn’t been successful in regulating an exception that allows clergy members to promise secrecy for anything they learn during confession, even suspected child abuse. But, a bill trying to give them the option to report as well as liability protection if they do now has the support of legislators and a lack of opposition […]
The state’s religious leaders did not offer any opposition during a public hearing for a bill that would allow clergy to report confessions of child abuse. The Utah House Judiciary Committee unanimously sent HB432 to the House floor.
The state’s religious leaders did not offer any opposition during a public hearing for a bill that would allow clergy to report confessions of child abuse. The Utah House Judiciary Committee unanimously sent HB432 to the House floor.