An act relating to repealing the exception for clergy to report child abuse and neglect

This bill would remove the current exemption that allows clergy members in Vermont to avoid reporting child abuse and neglect when they receive such information during confidential spiritual counseling sessions. Directly affecting religious leaders and child welfare systems, the legislation repeals four specific conditions that currently protect clergy from mandatory reporting requirements when information is shared in confidence as part of their spiritual advisory role. The key change eliminates the legal protection for communications that are intended to be confidential, involve acts of contrition, and are required to be kept secret by religious doctrine. Additionally, the bill removes a provision that required clergy to report abuse information even when it was also learned during confidential counseling sessions. If passed, these changes would take effect on July 1, 2023, and would require all clergy members to report suspected child abuse regardless of how the information was obtained.