The proposed bill amends section 13-3620 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, updating the language regarding the duty to report suspected child abuse. It introduces the term "penitent confessor" to clarify the relationship between clergy and individuals seeking spiritual guidance, specifying that this term includes parishioners or congregants who meet with clergy to discuss or confess conduct related to their faith. The bill also emphasizes that clergy members may withhold reporting of confessions from a penitent confessor if deemed reasonable and necessary within their religious practices, but this exemption does not apply to personal observations of the minor or any non-confessional communications.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the duty to report known or suspected child abuse remains intact for clergy acting in any other capacity that would require reporting, ensuring that the exemption for confessional communications does not diminish their overall responsibility to report abuse. The language regarding the exemption is refined to exclude any communications that are not confessions, thereby reinforcing the obligation to report suspected abuse while maintaining the sanctity of confessional communications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-3620