Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect - Louisiana

The Requirement for Clergy to Report 

Citation: Children's Code Art. 603(17)

Members of the clergy, including priests, rabbis, duly ordained clerical deacons or ministers, Christian Science practitioners, or other similarly situated functionaries of a religious organization are designated as mandatory reporters under State law.

Privileged Communications

Citation: Children's Code Art. 603(17)

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 to hear and is 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 in accordance with article 610.