Bill > SB5375

This bill expands the definition of "member of the clergy" and clarifies their mandatory reporting responsibilities for child abuse and neglect. Specifically, the bill broadens the definition of clergy to include a wide range of religious and spiritual leaders from various denominations, faiths, and spiritual communities, whether they are acting individually or as employees or agents of organizations. Under the new definition, clergy now explicitly includes ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, elders, and other similarly situated religious or spiritual leaders performing official duties recognized by their religious tradition. The bill requires these clergy members to report incidents of suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement or the department of children, youth, and families if they have reasonable cause to believe a child has suffered abuse, with the report to be made within 48 hours of becoming aware of the potential abuse. This expansion aims to ensure a more comprehensive approach to protecting children by including a broader range of religious leaders in the mandatory reporting requirements, with the goal of identifying and addressing potential child abuse more effectively across different religious and spiritual communities.