SB 5375 Injunction Permanently Blocks Priest Reporting
Catholic leaders and DOJ sued over SB 5375, which required clergy to report child abuse regardless of how it was learned.
SB 5375 would have fined priests $5,000 and jailed them up to 364 days if enforced.
The law’s language denied clergy privileged communication in confessions.
Plaintiffs called the outcome a victory, with Mark Rienzi and Becket Fund praising the agreement.
Historically, Washington and most states exempt confessions from reporting laws.
3 weeks ago