BILL · 2023–24 SESSION

SB 6298: Clergy/child abuse reporting

Concerning the duty of the clergy to report child abuse or neglect.

Summary

Requires members of the clergy to report child abuse or neglect when the clergy member has reasonable cause to believe a child has suffered abuse or neglect, except with regard to information that a clergy member obtains solely in the context of a penitential communication.
Requires members of the clergy to warn the Department of Children, Youth, and Families or law enforcement when they have reasonable cause to believe that a child is at imminent risk of being abused or neglected, even if that belief is informed by information obtained in part as a result of a penitential communication.

From the House Bill Analysis 2024 (SB 6298), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House

AN ACT Relating to the duty of the clergy to report child abuse or neglect;

Passed February 7, 2024

Version voted on: SB 6298

44 Yea 5 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	29	0	0	0
Republican	15	5	0	0

How each member voted

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

SB 6298 (2025–26) Public works/made in US · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 6298 (2019–20) Department of corrections · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 6298 (2017–18) DV harassment/firearms · Enacted · Chapter 234, Laws of 2018
SB 6298 (2015–16) Homeless students gap act · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 6298 (2013–14) Breastfeeding-friendly WA · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
SB 6298 (2011–12) Genetically engineered foods · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 6298 (2009–10) Public funds/credit unions · Enacted · Chapter 36, Laws of 2010
SB 6298 (2007–08) Transportation budget · Did not pass · died in committee