The bill seeks to strengthen the reporting and prevention of child sexual abuse in Washington State by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. It establishes clergy members as mandatory reporters of child abuse while maintaining respect for religious practices. Key amendments include a broadened definition of "member of the clergy" and clarified reporting obligations for various professionals, including those in supervisory roles. The legislation specifies that "sacred confidence" does not cover activities such as spiritual direction and religious counseling, and mandates that clergy report any child abuse information received from sources outside of sacred contexts within forty-eight hours of reasonable cause.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in responding to abuse reports, including maintaining investigation records and notifying relevant parties in cases involving military families. It also imposes new requirements on educational service districts and the superintendent of public instruction to report annually on sexual abuse allegations and investigations, while expanding the superintendent's powers to collect data on such incidents. The legislation emphasizes the importance of psychological screening, training, and background checks for school employees and volunteers, along with establishing an annual independent audit process to ensure compliance with these safety measures.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 26.44.020, 26.44.030, 28A.310.280, 28A.300.040