WA People
BILL · 2003–04 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 2597

HB 2597: Child sexual abuse reporting

Requiring clergy to report sexual abuse of a child.

Summary

  • Requires a member of the clergy to report to law enforcement or the Department of Social and Health Services when he or she has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered sexual abuse and the perpetrator is a member of the clergy or an employee of the church or religious organization.
  • Creates an exception to the reporting requirement for information the member of the clergy obtains as a result of a confession which is privileged under the clergy/priest-penitent privilege.

From the House Bill Analysis (HB 2597), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · stalled on the House floor
  1. IntroducedJan 16, 2004
  2. Out of committeeFeb 6, 2004
  3. Passed Housestopped here
  4. Passed Senate
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36)
Introduced
January 16, 2004 in the House
Last action
March 1, 2004
Versions
HB 2597, SHB 2597

AN ACT Relating to the duty of a member of the clergy to report sexual abuse of a child;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36)

7 co-sponsors (7 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Ruth Kagi D-32Jeannie Darneille D-27Eric Pettigrew D-37Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney D-46Laura Ruderman D-45Steve Kirby D-29Maralyn Chase D-32

Votes

No recorded floor votes.

History

  1. Referred to Rules 2 Consideration. (SHB 2597)
  2. Referred to Rules 2 Consideration.
  3. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SHB 2597)
  4. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  5. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SHB 2597)
  6. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  7. CFS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 2597)
  8. CFS - Executive action taken by committee.
  9. CFS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  10. First reading, referred to Children & Family Services.

HB 2597 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

Report wrong or missing information on this page