Children’s Bureau/ACYF/ACF/HHS

800.394.3366 | Email: info@childwelfare.gov | https://www.childwelfare.gov

State 

StatuteS

Current Through

August 2015

Clergy as Mandatory 

Reporters of Child abuse 

and neglect

What’S InSIde

Privileged 

communications

Chart summarizing State 

provisions

Full-text excerpts of 

State laws

to find statute 

information for a 

particular State, 

go to 

https://www.childwelfare.

gov/topics/systemwide/

laws-policies/state/.

Every State, the District of Columbia, American 

Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto 

Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have statutes 

that identify persons who are required to report 

child maltreatment under specific circumstances.1

1 For more information on mandated reporters, see Child Welfare Information Gateway’s 

Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect at https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/

systemwide/laws-policies/statutes/manda/.

Approximately 28 States and Guam currently include 

members of the clergy among those professionals 

specifically mandated by law to report known or 

suspected instances of child abuse or neglect.2

2 The word “approximately” is used to stress the fact that States frequently amend their 

laws. This information is current only through August 2015. States that include clergy 

as mandated reporters are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, 

Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, 

Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, 

Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

 In 

approximately 18 States and Puerto Rico, any person 

who suspects child abuse or neglect is required to 

report it.3

3 Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, 

Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Three of these States (Mississippi, New Hampshire, and New 

Mexico) also enumerate clergy as mandated reporters.

 This inclusive language appears to include 

clergy but may be interpreted otherwise.
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Privileged Communications

As a doctrine of some faiths, clergy must maintain 

the confidentiality of pastoral communications. This is 

sometimes referred to as “clergy-penitent privilege,” 

where “penitent” refers to the person consulting the 

clergy. Mandatory reporting statutes in some States 

specify the circumstances under which a communication 

is “privileged” or allowed to remain confidential. 

Privileged communications may be exempt from the 

requirement to report suspected abuse or neglect. 

The privilege of maintaining this confidentiality under 

State law must be provided by statute. Most States do 

provide the privilege, typically in rules of evidence or civil 

procedure.4

4 The issue of clergy-penitent privilege also may be addressed in case law, 

which this publication does not cover.

 If the issue of privilege is not addressed in 

the reporting laws, it does not mean that privilege is not 

granted; it may be granted in other parts of State statutes.

This privilege, however, is not absolute. While clergypenitent privilege is frequently recognized within the 

reporting laws, it is typically interpreted narrowly in the 

context of child abuse or neglect. The circumstances 

under which it is allowed vary from State to State, and in 

some States it is denied altogether. For example, among 

the States that list clergy as mandated reporters, Guam, 

New Hampshire, and West Virginia deny the clergy 

penitent privilege in cases of child abuse or neglect. Four 

of the States that enumerate “any person” as a mandated 

reporter (North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and 

Texas) also deny clergy-penitent privilege in child abuse 

cases.

In States where neither clergy members nor “any person” 

are enumerated as mandated reporters, it is less clear 

whether clergy are included as mandated reporters within 

other broad categories of professionals who work with 

children. For example, in Virginia and Washington, clergy 

are not enumerated as mandated reporters, but the 

clergy-penitent privilege is affirmed within the reporting 

laws. 

Many States and territories include Christian Science 

practitioners or religious healers among professionals who 

are mandated to report suspected child maltreatment. 

In most instances, they appear to be regarded as a type 

of health-care provider. Only 10 States explicitly include 

Christian Science practitioners among classes of clergy 

required to report.5

5 Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, 

Nevada, South Carolina, and Vermont. American Samoa requires Christian 

Science practitioners to report, but it is not clear from the context whether 

they are considered clergy or health-care providers.

 In those States, the clergy-penitent 

privilege also is extended to those practitioners by 

statute.

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The following chart summarizes how States have or have not addressed the issue of clergy as mandated reporters (either 

specifically or as part of a broad category) and/or clergy penitent privilege (either limiting or denying the privilege) 

within their reporting laws.1

Privilege granted 

but limited to pastoral 

communications

Privilege denied in cases 

of suspected child abuse 

or neglect

Privilege not addressed in 

the reporting laws

Clergy enumerated as 

mandated reporters

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, 

Arkansas, California, Colorado, 

Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, 

Maine, Massachusetts, 

Michigan, Minnesota, 

Missouri, Montana, Nevada, 

New Mexico, North Dakota, 

Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, 

South Carolina, Vermont, 

Wisconsin

Guam, New Hampshire, 

West Virginia

Connecticut, Mississippi

Clergy not enumerated 

as mandated reporters 

but may be included 

with "any person" 

designation

Delaware, Florida, Idaho, 

Kentucky, Maryland, Utah, 

Wyoming

North Carolina, 

Oklahoma, Rhode Island, 

Texas

Indiana, Nebraska, New 

Jersey, Tennessee, Puerto 

Rico

Neither clergy nor "any 

person" enumerated as 

mandated reporters

Virginia, Washington6

6 Clergy are not mandated reporters in Washington, but if they elect to report, their report and any testimony are provided statutory immunity from liability.

Not applicable American Samoa, District 

of Columbia, Hawaii, Iowa, 

Kansas, New York, Northern 

Mariana Islands, South 

Dakota, Virgin Islands

This publication is a product of the State Statutes Series prepared by Child Welfare Information Gateway. 

While every attempt has been made to be complete, additional information on these topics may be in other 

sections of a State’s code as well as agency regulations, case law, and informal practices and procedures.

Suggested citation: 

Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2016). Clergy as mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Washington, DC: 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.
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alabama

Ala. Code § 26-14-3(a), (f)

Members of the clergy (as defined in Rule 505 of the Alabama Rules of Evidence) shall be required to report or cause a report to 

be made immediately when a child is known or suspected to be a victim of child abuse or neglect—either by telephone or direct 

communication, followed by a written report—to a duly constituted authority.

A member of the clergy shall not be required to report information gained solely in a confidential communication, privileged 

pursuant to Rule 505 of the Alabama Rules of Evidence, as such communications shall continue to be privileged as provided by 

law.

alaska

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.020(d)

This section does not require a religious healing practitioner to report as neglect of a child the failure to provide medical 

attention to the child if the child is provided treatment solely by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenets and 

practices of a recognized church or religious denomination by an accredited practitioner of the church or denomination.

american Samoa

Ann. Code § 45.2002(a), (b)(11) 

Any mandatory reporter who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, or 

who has observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, 

shall immediately report or cause a report to be made of that fact to the agency, who immediately informs the department.

Persons required to report the abuse or neglect or circumstances or conditions include any Christian Science practitioner.

arizona

Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3620(A), (L) 

Any member of the clergy, priest, or Christian Science practitioner who reasonably believes that a minor is or has been the victim 

of injury, abuse, child abuse, a reportable offense, or neglect shall immediately report or cause a report to be made.

A member of the clergy, a Christian Science practitioner, or a priest who has received a confidential communication or 

a confession in that person's role as a member of the clergy, a Christian Science practitioner, or a priest in the course of 

the discipline enjoined by the church to which the member of the clergy, Christian Science practitioner, or priest belongs 

may withhold reporting of the communication or confession if the member of the clergy, Christian Science practitioner, or 

priest determines that it is reasonable and necessary within the concepts of the religion. This exemption applies only to the 

communication or confession and not to the personal observations the member of the clergy, Christian Science practitioner, or 

priest may otherwise make of the minor.

In any civil or criminal litigation in which a child's neglect, dependency, physical injury, abuse, child abuse, or abandonment is 

an issue, a member of the clergy, a Christian Science practitioner, or a priest shall not, without his or her consent, be examined 

as a witness concerning any confession made to him or her in his or her role as a member of the clergy, a Christian Science 

practitioner, or a priest in the course of the discipline enjoined by the church to which he or she belongs. This subsection does 

not discharge a member of the clergy, a Christian Science practitioner, or a priest from the duty to report as required above.

arkansas

Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-402 

A clergy member shall immediately notify the Child Abuse Hotline if he or she:

• Has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to child maltreatment, died as a result of child

maltreatment, or died suddenly and unexpectedly

• Observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in child maltreatment
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A clergy member includes a minister, priest, rabbi, accredited Christian Science practitioner, or other similar functionary of a religious 

organization, or an individual reasonably believed to be so by the person consulting him or her. Clergy must report suspected child 

maltreatment except to the extent the clergy member:

• Has acquired knowledge of suspected child maltreatment through communications required to be kept confidential pursuant

to the religious discipline of the relevant denomination or faith

• Received the knowledge of the suspected child maltreatment from the alleged offender in the context of a statement of

admission

A privilege or contract shall not prevent a person from reporting child maltreatment when he or she is a mandated reporter and 

required to report under this section.

Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-803(b)

No privilege, except that between a lawyer and client or between a minister, including a Christian Science practitioner, and a person 

confessing to or being counseled by the minister, shall prevent anyone from testifying concerning child maltreatment.

California

Cal. Penal Code § 11166(d) 

A clergy member who acquires knowledge or reasonable suspicion of child abuse during a penitential communication is not 

required to make a report. For the purposes of this subdivision, 'penitential communication' means a communication intended 

to be in confidence—including, but not limited to, a sacramental confession—made to a clergy member who in the course of the 

discipline or practice of his or her church, denomination, or organization is authorized or accustomed to hear those communications 

and under the discipline, tenets, customs, or practices of his or her church, denomination, or organization, has a duty to keep those 

communications secret. 

Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to modify or limit a clergy member's duty to report known or suspected child abuse 

when a clergy member is acting in some other capacity that would otherwise make the clergy member a mandated reporter. 

On or before January 1, 2004, a clergy member or any custodian of records for the clergy member may report to an agency 

specified in § 11165.9 that the clergy member or any custodian of records for the clergy member, prior to January 1, 1997, in his or 

her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her employment, other than during a penitential communication, acquired 

knowledge or had a reasonable suspicion that a child had been the victim of sexual abuse and that the clergy member or any 

custodian of records for the clergy member did not previously report the abuse to an agency specified in § 11165.9.

This paragraph shall apply even if the victim of the known or suspected abuse has reached the age of majority by the time the 

required report is made.

The local law enforcement agency shall have jurisdiction to investigate any report of child abuse made pursuant to this paragraph 

even if the report is made after the victim has reached the age of majority.

Cal. Penal Code § 11165.7(a)(32)-(33) 

A mandated reporter is defined as any of the following: 

• A clergy member, as specified in § 11166(c)

• Any custodian of records of a clergy member, as specified in this section and § 11166(c)

As used in this article, 'clergy member' means a priest, minister, rabbi, religious practitioner, or similar functionary of a church, 

temple, or recognized denomination or organization.

Colorado

Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-90-107(1)(c) 

A clergy member, minister, priest, or rabbi shall not be examined without both his or her consent and also the consent of the person 

making the confidential communication as to any confidential communication made to the clergy member, minister, priest, or rabbi 

in his or her professional capacity in the course of discipline expected by the religious body to which he or she belongs.
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Colo. Stat. Ann. § 19-3-304(2)(aa) 

Persons required to report abuse or neglect or circumstances or conditions shall include any clergy member. 

The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a person who acquires reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been 

subjected to abuse or neglect during a communication about which the person may not be examined as a witness pursuant to § 

13-90-107(1)(c), unless the person also acquires such reasonable cause from a source other than such communication.

For purposes of this paragraph, unless the context otherwise requires, 'clergy member' means a priest; rabbi; duly ordained, 

commissioned, or licensed minister of a church; member of a religious order; or recognized leader of any religious body.

Connecticut

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 17a-101(b) 

The following persons shall be mandated reporters: members of the clergy.

delaware

Del. Code Ann. Tit. 16, § 909 

No legally recognized privilege, except that between attorney and client and that between priest and penitent in a sacramental 

confession, shall apply to situations involving known or suspected child abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment and shall not 

constitute grounds for failure to report as required or to give or accept evidence in any judicial proceeding relating to child abuse or 

neglect.

Del. Code Ann. Tit. 16, § 903 

Any person, agency, organization, or entity that knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect shall make a report in 

accordance with § 904 of this title.

district of Columbia

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Florida

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 39.201(1) 

Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal 

custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child's welfare, or that a child is in need of supervision and care and has no 

parent, legal custodian, or responsible adult relative immediately known and available to provide supervision and care, shall report 

such knowledge or suspicion to the department.

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 39.204

The privileged quality of communications between husband and wife and between any professional person and his or her patient 

or client, or any other privileged communications except that between attorney and client or the privilege provided by § 90.505 

[providing for the confidentiality of communications made to a clergy member for the purpose of spiritual counsel], as such 

communication relates both to the competency of the witness and to the exclusion of confidential communications, shall not apply 

to any communication involving the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator in any situation involving known or suspected child abuse, 

abandonment, or neglect, and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report as required by the reporting laws regardless of the 

source of information requiring the report, failure to cooperate with law enforcement or the department in its activities pursuant to 

this chapter, or failure to give evidence in any judicial proceeding relating to child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
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Georgia

Ga. Ann. Code § 19-7-5 

A member of the clergy shall not be required to report child abuse reported solely within the context of confession or other similar 

communication required to be kept confidential under church doctrine or practice. When a clergy member receives information 

about child abuse from any other source, the clergy member shall comply with the reporting requirements of this Code section, even 

though the clergy member may have also received a report of child abuse from the confession of the perpetrator.

The term 'clergy' includes ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, or similar functionaries, by whatever name called, of a bona fide religious 

organization.

Guam

Guam Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 13201

Persons required to report suspected child abuse include, but are not limited to, any clergy member of any religious faith, or other 

similar functionary or employee of any church, place of worship, or other religious organization whose primary duties consist of 

teaching, spreading the faith, church governance, supervision of a religious order, or supervision or participation in religious ritual 

and worship.

No person may claim 'privileged communications' as a basis for his or her refusal or failure to report suspected child abuse or 

neglect or to provide Child Protective Services or the Guam Police Department with required information. Such privileges are 

specifically abrogated with respect to reporting suspected child abuse or neglect or of providing information to the agency.

hawaii

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Idaho

Idaho Code § 16-1605 

Any other person having reason to believe that a child has been abused, abandoned, or neglected shall report or cause a report to 

be made within 24 hours.

The term 'duly ordained minister of religion' means a person who has been ordained or set apart, in accordance with the ceremony, 

ritual, or discipline of a church or religious organization that has been established on the basis of a community of religious faith, 

belief, doctrines, and practices, to hear confessions and confidential communications in accordance with the bona fide doctrines or 

discipline of that church or religious organization.

The notification requirements do not apply to a duly ordained minister of religion, with regard to any confession or confidential 

communication made to him or her in his or her ecclesiastical capacity in the course of discipline enjoined by the church to which he 

or she belongs if:

• The church qualifies as tax-exempt under Federal law.

• The confession or confidential communication was made directly to the duly ordained minister of religion.

• The confession or confidential communication was made in the manner and context that places the duly ordained minister

specifically and strictly under a level of confidentiality that is considered inviolate by canon law or church doctrine.

A confession or confidential communication made under any other circumstances does not fall under this exemption.

Illinois

325 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. § 5/4

Any member of the clergy having reasonable cause to believe that a child known to that member of the clergy in his or her 

professional capacity may be an abused child as defined by law shall immediately report or cause a report to be made to the 

Department of Children and Family Services.
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Whenever such person is required to report under this act in his or her capacity as a member of the clergy, he or she shall make a 

report immediately to the department in accordance with the provisions of this act and also may notify the person in charge of the 

church, synagogue, temple, mosque, or other religious institution, or his or her designated agent, that such a report has been made. 

Under no circumstances shall any person in charge of the church, synagogue, temple, mosque, or other religious institution, or his or 

her designated agent to whom such notification is made, exercise any control, restraint, modification, or other change in the report 

or the forwarding of such report to the department.

The privileged quality of communication between any professional person required to report and his or her patient or client shall not 

apply to situations involving abused or neglected children and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report.

A member of the clergy may claim the privilege under § 8-803 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

735 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. § 5/8-803 

A member of the clergy or practitioner of any religious denomination accredited by the religious body to which he or she belongs 

shall not be compelled to disclose in any court, or to any administrative body or agency, or to any public officer, a confession or 

admission made to him or her in his or her professional character or as a spiritual advisor in the course of the discipline enjoined by 

the rules or practice of such religious body or of the religion that he or she professes, nor be compelled to divulge any information 

that has been obtained by him or her in such professional character or such spiritual advisor.

Indiana

Ind. Code Ann. § 31-33-5-1 

In addition to any other duty to report arising under this article, an individual who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of child 

abuse or neglect shall make a report as required by this article.

Iowa

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Kansas

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Kentucky

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 620.030(1), (3) 

Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is dependent, neglected, or abused shall immediately cause 

an oral or written report to be made.

Neither the husband-wife nor any professional-client/patient privilege, except the attorney-client and clergy-penitent privilege, shall 

be grounds for refusing to report or for excluding evidence regarding a dependent, neglected, or abused child or the cause thereof, 

in any judicial proceedings resulting from a report. This subsection shall also apply in any criminal proceeding in district or circuit 

court regarding a dependent, neglected, or abused child.

Louisiana

La. Children's Code Art. 603(17)(b)-(c) 

'Mental health/social service practitioner' is any individual who provides mental health or social service diagnosis, assessment, 

counseling, or treatment, including a psychiatrist, psychologist, marriage or family counselor, social worker, member of the clergy, 

aide, or other individual who provides counseling services to a child or his or her family. 

'Member of the clergy' is any priest, rabbi, duly ordained deacon or minister, Christian Science practitioner, or other similarly situated 

functionary of a religious organization. 

A member of the clergy is not required to report a confidential communication, as defined in Code of Evidence article 511(A)(2), from 

a person to a member of the clergy who in the course of the discipline or practice of that church, denomination, or organization is 

authorized and accustomed to hearing confidential communication and, under the discipline or tenets of that church, denomination, 

or organization, has a duty to keep such communication confidential. In that instance, the member of the clergy shall encourage that 

person to report the allegations to the appropriate authorities.
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Maine

Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. Tit. 22, § 4011-A(1)(A)(27) 

The following adult persons shall immediately report or cause a report to be made to the department when the person knows or has 

reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected: clergy members acquiring the information 

as a result of clerical professional work, except for information received during confidential communications.

Maryland

Md. Code Ann. Fam. Law § 5-705(a)(1), (a)(3) 

Except as provided below, notwithstanding any other provision of law, including a law on privileged communications, a person 

other than a health practitioner, police officer, or educator or human service worker who has reason to believe that a child has been 

subjected to abuse or neglect shall notify the local department or the appropriate law enforcement agency.

A minister of the gospel, clergy member, or priest of an established church of any denomination is not required to provide notice 

[when they have reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect] if the notice would disclose matter in relation 

to any communication that is protected by the clergy-penitent privilege and:

• The communication was made to the minister, clergy member, or priest in a professional character in the course of discipline

enjoined by the church to which the minister, clergy member, or priest belongs.

• The minister, clergy member, or priest is bound to maintain the confidentiality of that communication under canon law, church

doctrine, or practice.

Massachusetts

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. Ch. 119, § 21

Mandatory reporters include:

• Priests, rabbis, clergy members, ordained or licensed ministers, leaders of any church or religious body, or accredited

Christian Science practitioners

• Persons performing official duties on behalf of a church or religious body that are recognized as the duties of a priest, rabbi,

clergy, ordained or licensed minister, leader of any church or religious body, or accredited Christian Science practitioner

• Persons employed by a church or religious body to supervise, educate, coach, train, or counsel a child on a regular basis

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. Ch. 119, § 51A(j) 

Any privilege relating to confidential communications, established by §§ 135 to 135B, inclusive, of chapter 112 [pertaining to social 

worker-client privilege] or by §§ 20A [clergy-penitent privilege] and 20B [psychotherapist-patient privilege] of chapter 233, shall 

not prohibit the filing of a report under this section or a care and protection petition under § 24, except that a priest, rabbi, clergy 

member, ordained or licensed minister, leader of a church or religious body, or accredited Christian Science practitioner need not 

report information solely gained in a confession or similarly confidential communication in other religious faiths. Nothing in the 

general laws shall modify or limit the duty of a priest, rabbi, clergy member, ordained or licensed minister, leader of a church or 

religious body, or accredited Christian Science practitioner to report suspected child abuse or neglect under this section when the 

priest, rabbi, clergy member, ordained or licensed minister, leader of a church or religious body, or accredited Christian Science 

practitioner is acting in some other capacity that would otherwise make him or her a mandated reporter.

Michigan

Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 722.623 

A member of the clergy who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect shall make immediately, by telephone or 

otherwise, an oral report, or cause on oral report to be made, of the suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Human 

Services.
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Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 722.631 

Any legally recognized privileged communication except that between attorney and client or that made to a member of the clergy 

in his or her professional character in a confession or similarly confidential communication is abrogated and shall not constitute 

grounds for excusing a report otherwise required to be made or for excluding evidence in a civil protective proceeding resulting 

from a report made pursuant to this act. This section does not relieve a member of the clergy from reporting suspected child abuse 

or child neglect if that member of the clergy receives information concerning suspected child abuse or child neglect while acting in 

any other capacity listed under § 722.623.

Minnesota

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 626.556, Subd. 3(a) 

A person who knows or has reason to believe a child is being neglected or physically or sexually abused shall immediately report 

the information to the local welfare agency, agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, police department, or the 

county sheriff if the person is employed as a member of the clergy and received the information while engaged in ministerial duties, 

provided that a member of clergy is not required to report information that is otherwise privileged under § 595.02(1)(c) [pertaining to 

clergy-penitent privilege].

Mississippi

Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-353(1)

Any minister who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a neglected child or an abused child shall cause an oral report to be 

made immediately, by telephone or otherwise, to be followed as soon thereafter as possible by a report in writing to the Department 

of Human Services.

Missouri

Mo. Ann. Stat. § 210.140 

Any legally recognized privileged communication, except that between an attorney and client or involving communications made 

to a minister or clergy member, shall not apply to situations involving known or suspected child abuse or neglect and shall not 

constitute grounds for failure to report as required or permitted, to cooperate with the division in any of its activities, or to give or 

accept evidence in any judicial proceeding relating to child abuse or neglect.

Mo. Ann. Stat. § 210.115 

When any minister, as provided by § 352.400, has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse 

or neglect or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, that 

person shall immediately report or cause a report to be made to the Children's Division.

Mo. Ann. Stat. § 352.400 

'Minister' means any person who while practicing as a minister of the gospel, clergy member, priest, rabbi, Christian Science 

practitioner, or other person serving in a similar capacity for any religious organization is responsible for or who has supervisory 

authority over one who is responsible for the care, custody, and control of a child or who has access to a child.

When a minister or designated agent has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect 

under circumstances required to be reported, the minister or designated agent shall immediately report or cause a report to be 

made. 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any section of the reporting laws, a minister shall not be required to report 

concerning a privileged communication made to him or her in his or her professional capacity.
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Montana

Mont. Code Ann. § 15-6-201(2)(b) 

The term 'clergy' means:

• An ordained minister, priest, or rabbi

• A commissioned or licensed minister of a church or church denomination that ordains ministers if the person has the authority

to perform substantially all the religious duties of the church or denomination

• A member of a religious order who has taken a vow of poverty

• A Christian Science practitioner

Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-201(2)(h), (5)(b) 

Professionals and officials required to report include members of the clergy.

A member of the clergy or priest is not required to report under this section if:

• The knowledge or suspicion of the abuse or neglect came from a statement or confession made to the member of the clergy

or priest in that person's capacity as a member of the clergy or priest.

• The statement was intended to be a part of a confidential communication between the member of the clergy or the priest and

a member of the church or congregation.

• The person who made the statement or confession does not consent to the disclosure by the member of the clergy or priest.

A member of the clergy or priest is not required to make a report under this section if the communication is required to be 

confidential by canon law, church doctrine, or established church practice.

nebraska

Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-711 

When any person has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect or observes that child 

being subjected to conditions or circumstances that reasonably would result in child abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such 

incident or cause a report of child abuse or neglect to be made to the proper law enforcement agency or to the Department of 

Social Services.

nevada

Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 432B.220(3)(d) 

A report must be made by a clergy member, practitioner of Christian Science, or religious healer, unless he or she has acquired the 

knowledge of the abuse or neglect from the offender during a confession.

new hampshire

A prie

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 169-C:29 

st, minister, or rabbi having reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected shall report the same in accordance 

with this chapter.

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 169-C:32

The privileged quality of communication between husband and wife and any professional person [including a priest, minister, or 

rabbi] and his or her patient or client, except that between attorney and client, shall not apply to proceedings instituted pursuant to 

this chapter and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report as required by this chapter.

new Jersey

N.J. Ann. Stat. § 9:6-8.10 

Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse or acts of child abuse shall report the 

same immediately to the Division of Youth and Family Services by telephone or otherwise.
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new Mexico

N.M. Stat. Ann. § 32A-4-3(A) 

Every person, including a member of the clergy who has information that is not privileged as a matter of law, who knows or has a 

reasonable suspicion that a child is an abused or a neglected child shall report the matter immediately.

new York

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

north Carolina

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-301 

Any person or institution that has cause to suspect that any juvenile is abused, neglected, or dependent, or has died as the result 

of maltreatment, shall report the case of that juvenile to the director of the Department of Social Services in the county where the 

juvenile resides or is found.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-310

No privilege shall be grounds for any person or institution failing to report that a juvenile may have been abused, neglected, or 

dependent, even if the knowledge or suspicion is acquired in an official professional capacity, except when the knowledge is gained 

by an attorney from that attorney's client during representation only in the abuse, neglect, or dependency case.

No privilege, except the attorney-client privilege, shall be grounds for excluding evidence of abuse, neglect, or dependency in 

any judicial proceeding (civil, criminal, or juvenile) in which a juvenile's abuse, neglect, or dependency is an issue nor in any judicial 

proceeding resulting from a report submitted under this article, both as the privilege relates to the competency of the witness and to 

the exclusion of confidential communications.

north dakota

N.D. Cent. Code § 50-25.1-03(1) 

Any member of the clergy having knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected or has died as a 

result of abuse or neglect shall report the circumstances to the department if the knowledge or suspicion is derived from information 

received by that person in that person's official or professional capacity. A member of the clergy, however, is not required to report 

such circumstances if the knowledge or suspicion is derived from information received in the capacity of a spiritual advisor.

northern Mariana Islands

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Ohio

Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.421(A)(4)(b)-(d) 

A cleric is not required to make a report concerning any communication the cleric receives from a penitent in a cleric-penitent 

relationship if, in accordance with § 2317.02(C), the cleric could not testify with respect to that communication in a civil or criminal 

proceeding.

The penitent in a cleric-penitent relationship is deemed to have waived any testimonial privilege with respect to any communication 

the cleric receives from the penitent in that cleric-penitent relationship, and the cleric shall make a report with respect to that 

communication if all of the following apply:

• The penitent, at the time of the communication, is either a child under age 18 or a mentally retarded, developmentally

disabled, or physically impaired person under age 21.

• The cleric knows, or has reasonable cause to believe based on facts that would cause a reasonable person in a similar position

to believe, as a result of the communication or any observations made during that communication, the penitent has suffered

or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability, or condition of a nature that reasonably indicates

abuse or neglect of the penitent.
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• The abuse or neglect does not arise out of the penitent's attempt to have an abortion performed upon a child under age 18

or upon a mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically impaired person under age 21 without the notification of

her parents, guardian, or custodian in accordance with § 2151.85.

The above sections do not apply in a cleric-penitent relationship when the disclosure of any communication the cleric receives from 

the penitent is in violation of the sacred trust.

Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.421(A)(4)(a) 

No cleric and no person, other than a volunteer, designated by any church, religious society, or faith acting as a leader, official, or 

delegate on behalf of the church, religious society, or faith who is acting in an official or professional capacity who knows, or has 

reasonable cause to believe based on facts that would cause a reasonable person in a similar position to believe, that a child under 

age 18 or a mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically impaired child under age 21 has suffered or faces a threat of 

suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability, or condition of a nature that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the 

child, and who knows, or has reasonable cause to believe based on facts that would cause a reasonable person in a similar position 

to believe, that another cleric or another person, other than a volunteer, designated by a church, religious society, or faith acting as a 

leader, official, or delegate on behalf of the church, religious society, or faith caused or poses the threat of causing the wound, injury, 

disability, or condition that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect shall fail to immediately report that knowledge or reasonable 

cause to believe to the entity or persons specified in this division. 

Oklahoma

Okla. Stat. Ann. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101

Every person having reason to believe that a child under age 18 is a victim of abuse or neglect shall report the matter promptly to the 

Department of Human Services.

No privilege or contract shall relieve any person from the requirement of reporting pursuant to this section. 

Oregon

Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 419B.005(3)(h) 

Public or private official [includes]: member of the clergy.

Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 419B.010(1) 

Any public or private official having reasonable cause to believe that any child with whom the official comes in contact has suffered 

abuse, or that any person with whom the official comes in contact has abused a child, shall immediately report or cause a report to 

be made.

Nothing shall affect the duty to report imposed by the reporting laws, except that a psychiatrist, psychologist, member of clergy, or 

attorney shall not be required to report such information communicated by a person if such communication is privileged under §§ 

40.225 to 40.295.

Pennsylvania

23 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6311(a)

The following adults shall make a report of suspected child abuse: A clergyman, priest, rabbi, minister, Christian Science practitioner, 

religious healer, or spiritual leader of any regularly established church or other religious organization.

23 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6311.1

The privileged communications between a mandated reporter and a patient or client of the mandated reporter shall not:

• Apply to a situation involving child abuse

• Relieve the mandated reporter of the duty to make a report of suspected child abuse

Confidential communications made to a member of the clergy are protected under title 42, § 5943 (relating to confidential 

communications to clergymen).
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Puerto Rico

P.R. Laws Ann. Tit. 8, § 446(b) 

Any person who has knowledge of or suspects that a minor is a victim of abuse, institutional abuse, neglect, and/or institutional 

neglect shall report that fact through the hotline of the department, to the Puerto Rico police, or to the local office of the 

department. 

Rhode Island

R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-11 

The privileged quality of communication between husband and wife and any professional and his or her patient or client, except that 

between attorney and client, is hereby abrogated in situations involving known or suspected child abuse or neglect and shall not 

constitute grounds for failure to report as required by this chapter, failure to cooperate with the department in its activities pursuant 

to this chapter, or failure to give or accept evidence in any judicial proceeding relating to child abuse or neglect. In any family court 

proceeding relating to child abuse or neglect, notwithstanding the provisions of other statutes, no privilege of confidentiality may be 

invoked with respect to any illness, trauma, incompetency, addiction to drugs, or alcoholism of any parent.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-3(a) 

Any person who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that any child has been abused or neglected or has been a victim of sexual 

abuse by another child shall, within 24 hours, transfer that information to the department.

South Carolina

S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-420 

The privileged quality of communication between husband and wife and any professional person and his or her patient or 

client—except that between attorney and client or clergy member, including Christian Science practitioner or religious healer, 

and penitent—is abrogated and does not constitute grounds for failure to report or the exclusion of evidence in a civil protective 

proceeding resulting from a report pursuant to this article. However, a clergy member, including Christian Science practitioner or 

religious healer, must report in accordance with this subarticle, except when information is received from the alleged perpetrator of 

the abuse and neglect during a communication that is protected by the clergy and penitent privilege as defined in § 19-11-90.

S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-310(A) 

Persons required to report include members of the clergy, including Christian Science practitioners or religious healers.

South dakota

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

tennessee

Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-403(a) 

Any person who has knowledge of or is called upon to render aid to any child who is suffering from or has sustained any wound, 

injury, disability, or physical or mental condition shall report such harm immediately if the harm is of such a nature as to reasonably 

indicate that it has been caused by brutality, abuse, or neglect or that, on the basis of available information, reasonably appears to 

have been caused by brutality, abuse, or neglect.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-605(a) 

Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been sexually abused shall report such knowledge or 

suspicion to the department.
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texas

Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 261.101 

A person having cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect 

by any person shall immediately make a report as provided by this subchapter.

The requirement to report under this section applies, without exception, to an individual whose personal communications may 

otherwise be privileged, including an attorney, a member of the clergy, a medical practitioner, a social worker, a mental health 

professional, and an employee of a clinic or health-care facility that provides reproductive services.

utah

Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-403 

When any person has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, or who observes a child being subjected 

to conditions or circumstances that reasonably would result in abuse or neglect, he or she shall immediately notify the nearest peace 

officer, law enforcement agency, or office of the division. 

The notification requirements do not apply to a clergy member or priest, without the consent of the person making the confession, 

with regard to any confession made to him or her in his or her professional character in the course of discipline enjoined by the 

church to which he or she belongs if: 

• The confession was made directly to the clergy member or priest by the perpetrator.

• The clergy member or priest is, under canon law or church doctrine or practice, bound to maintain the confidentiality of that

confession.

When the clergy member or priest receives information about abuse or neglect from any source other than confession of the 

perpetrator, he or she is required to give notification on the basis of that information, even though he or she may have also received 

a report of abuse or neglect from the confession of the perpetrator.

Exemption of notification requirements for a clergy member or priest does not exempt him or her from any other efforts required by 

law to prevent further abuse or neglect by the perpetrator.

Vermont

Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 33, § 4913(a), (h)-(i) 

Any member of the clergy who has reasonable cause to believe that any child has been abused or neglected shall report or cause a 

report to be made in accordance with the reporting laws. 

Except as provided below, a person may not refuse to make a report required by this section on the grounds that making the report 

would violate privilege or disclose a confidential communication.

A member of the clergy shall not be required to make a report under this section if the report would be based upon information 

revealed in a communication that is: 

• Made to a member of the clergy acting in his or her capacity as spiritual advisor

• Intended by the parties to be confidential at the time the communication is made

• Intended by the communicant to be an act of contrition or a matter of conscience

• Required to be confidential by religious law, doctrine, or tenet

When a member of the clergy receives information about abuse or neglect of a child in a manner other than as described above, 

he or she is required to report on the basis of that information, even though he or she may have also received a report of abuse or 

neglect about the same person or incident in the manner described above.

Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 33, § 4912(12) 

'Member of the clergy' means a priest; rabbi; clergy member; ordained or licensed minister; leader of any church or religious body; 

accredited Christian Science practitioner; or a person performing official duties on behalf of a church or religious body that are 

recognized as the duties of a priest, rabbi, clergy, nun, brother, ordained or licensed minister, leader of any church or religious body, 

or accredited Christian Science practitioner.
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Virgin Islands

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Virginia

Va. Code Ann. § 63.2-1509 

This subsection [enumerating mandated reporters] shall not apply to any regular minister, priest, rabbi, imam, or duly accredited 

practitioner of any religious organization or denomination usually referred to as a church as it relates to (i) information required by the 

doctrine of the religious organization or denomination to be kept in a confidential manner, or (ii) information that would be subject to 

§ 8.01-400 or 19.2-271.3 if offered as evidence in court.

Washington

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 26.44.030(7) 

Information considered privileged by statute and not directly related to reports required by this section must not be divulged 

without a valid written waiver of the privilege.

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 26.44.060(3) 

Conduct conforming with reporting requirements shall not be deemed a violation of the confidential communication privilege of 

§§ 5.60.060 (3) and (4) [pertaining to clergy-penitent and physician-patient privilege], 18.53.200 [pertaining to optometrist-patient 

privilege], and 18.83.110 [pertaining to psychologist-client privilege].

West Virginia

W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-2-811 

The privileged quality of communications between husband and wife and between any professional person and his or her patient 

or client, except that between attorney and client, is hereby abrogated in situations involving suspected or known child abuse or 

neglect. 

W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-2-803 

When any member of the clergy has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is neglected or abused, or observes the child being 

subjected to conditions that are likely to result in abuse or neglect, such person shall immediately, and not more than 48 hours after 

suspecting this abuse, report the circumstances or cause a report to be made to the Department of Health and Human Resources.

Wisconsin

Wis. Stat. Ann. § 48.981(2)(b)

Except as provided below, a member of the clergy shall report if the member of the clergy has reasonable cause to suspect that a 

child seen by the member of the clergy in the course of his or her professional duties:

• Has been abused

• Has been threatened with abuse, and abuse of the child will likely occur

Except as provided below, a member of the clergy shall report if the member of the clergy has reasonable cause, based on 

observations made or information that he or she receives, to suspect that a member of the clergy has done any of the following:

• Abused a child

• Threatened a child with abuse, and abuse of the child will likely occur

A member of the clergy is not required to report child abuse information that he or she receives solely through confidential 

communications made to him or her privately or in a confessional setting if he or she is authorized to hear or is accustomed to 

hearing such communications and under the disciplines, tenets, or traditions of his or her religion has a duty or is expected to keep 

those communications secret. Those disciplines, tenets, or traditions need not be in writing.
Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect https://www.childwelfare.gov

Wyoming

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-3-205(a) 

Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, or who observes 

any child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, shall immediately report it 

to the child protective agency or local law enforcement agency or cause a report to be made.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-3-210 

Evidence regarding a child in any judicial proceeding resulting from a report made pursuant to the reporting laws shall not be 

excluded on the ground it constitutes a privileged communication [and the privilege of confidential communication may not be 

claimed]: 

• Between husband and wife

• Claimed under any provision of law other than § 1-12-101(a)(i) [regarding attorney-client or physician-patient privilege] and §

1-12-101(a)(ii) [regarding privilege of a clergy member or priest as it relates to a confession made to him or her in his or her

professional character if enjoined by the church to which he or she belongs]

• Claimed pursuant to § 1-12-116 [regarding the confidential communication between a family violence and sexual assault

advocate and victim]

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

Administration for Children and Families 

Administration on Children, Youth and Families 

Children’s Bureau