Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

Series Title:  State Statutes
Author(s):  Child Welfare Information Gateway
Year Published:  2016
Current Through:  August 2015
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To access the statutes for a specific State or territory, visit the State Statutes Search.

This factsheet discusses laws that require members of the clergy to report cases of suspected child abuse and neglect. The issue of whether a member of the clergy can claim privileged communications as a reason for not reporting also is discussed. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Table of Contents

We also recommend the following Information Gateway publications:

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.

This publication is a product of the State Statutes Series prepared by Child Welfare Information Gateway. While every attempt has been made to be as complete as possible, 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.

This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.