Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect - Virginia
Date: May 2023
The Requirement for Clergy to Report
Citation: Ann. Code § 63.2-1509
Mandatory reporters include ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, or duly accredited practitioners of any religious organization or denomination.
Privileged Communications
Citation: Ann. Code § 63.2-1509
A minister, priest, rabbi, imam, or duly accredited practitioner of any religious organization or denomination must report unless the information supporting the suspicion of child abuse or neglect is required by the doctrine of the religious organization or denomination to be kept in a confidential manner or would be subject to § 8.01-400 or § 19.2-271.3 (regarding clergy-penitent communications) if offered as evidence in court.