HB 789

Bill Subjects

Child Abuse And Neglect Mandatory Reporting Members Of The Clergy Privileged Communications Rules Of Evidence

Abstract

Amends the child abuse and neglect reporting requirement to specify that a member of the clergy shall not be required to report information gained solely during a penitential communication, unless exigent circumstances exist that justify disclosure of the abuse or neglect. Specifies that the general rule of privilege applicable to confidential communications made to a member of the clergy does not apply to communications relating to known or suspected child abuse or neglect when exigent circumstances exist that justify disclosure of the abuse or neglect.