Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a law requiring clergy to report child abuse revealed during confession, ending exemptions for religious confidentiality. The U.S. Department of Justice announced an investigation into the law, citing potential First Amendment violations and claims of anti-Catholic bias.
Clergy are now required to report abuse or neglect, facing a conflict with their religious obligations to maintain confidentiality during confession.
Supporters of the law argue it closes loopholes that allowed clergy to withhold knowledge of child abuse from law enforcement.
