This bill proposes updates to section 13-3620 of the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding the duty to report suspected child abuse. It introduces new language that clarifies the exemption for members of the clergy, Christian Science practitioners, and priests concerning the reporting of confessions. Specifically, it replaces the term "communication" with "confession from a penitent confessor" and emphasizes that this exemption applies only to confessions, not to personal observations or other communications. Additionally, the bill asserts that these individuals still have a duty to report known or suspected child abuse when acting in other capacities that require reporting.

Furthermore, the bill adds a definition for "penitent confessor," specifying the relationship between the individual and the clergy member during the act of confession. It also modifies the existing language by deleting references to "communication" and clarifying that any communication made under different circumstances does not fall under the exemption. Overall, these changes aim to refine the legal framework surrounding the reporting of child abuse while maintaining the necessary protections for minors.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-3620