A federal judge has temporarily blocked a new Washington state law that would have required Catholic priests to report child abuse, even when the information is disclosed during confession.
U.S. District Chief Judge David G. Estudillo issued the ruling Friday in Tacoma, halting enforcement of Senate Bill 5375. The law, signed by Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) in May, was scheduled to take effect July 27.
The legislation threatened clergy with up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine for failing to report child abuse or neglect, even if the disclosure occurred during a sacramental confession.
In a 25-page order, Estudillo found that the law likely violated the First Amendment’s guarantee of the free exercise of religion. He noted that Washington could have pursued its goal of protecting children through less restrictive means.
“The State arguably could have chosen a less restrictive means of advancing its interest… by adding members of the clergy to the list of mandated reporters while also permitting a narrow exception for the confessional,” Estudillo wrote. He pointed out that around 25 other states already provide such exemptions.
The Catholic Church considers confession one of its most sacred rites.
Priests are strictly bound by