OLYMPIA – The House Early Learning & Human Services committee has passed a piece of legislation designed to protect kids from abuse by requiring clergy, like priests, rabbis, imams, or other religious leaders. House Bill 1211, introduced by Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland, recognizes that the relationship clergy have with their communities often puts them in a place to quickly identify abuse.
“Members of the clergy have a special, trusted relationship in families, and that means that they have an extra responsibility and should be in a position to spot problems within families,” said Walen, “If kids are in trouble, Clergy should report suspected child abuse to law enforcement.”
In 2022, 3,389 children were survivors of some sort of maltreatment. Though that number is trending down from nearly 4,500 in 2018, Walen says that the state still must do more.
“Not every kid comes from a good home. We need to protect these kids. Our job as adults is to do everything in our power to interrupt the cycle of abuse. This bill provides one more opportunity to break that pattern and help our kids heal.”
HB 1211 now awaits a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives. The 105-day legislative session ends on April 27, 2025.