Religious Liberty in the States Safeguards

Religious Ceremonial Life: Clergy as Mandatory Reporters

Checkmarks below indicate the states that exempt clergy from mandatory reporting laws.

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State	Exception for Mandatory Reporting	Statute(s)	URL	Statute(s)
Alabama	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§26-14-3(a), -(f)	https://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/CodeOfAlabama/1975/26-14-3.htm	§26-14-3(a), -(f)
Alaska	✓ Clergy not listed, no explicit exemption	§47.17.020(d)	https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#47.17.020	§47.17.020(d)
Arizona	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§13-3620(A)	https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03620.htm	§13-3620(A)
Arkansas	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§12-18-402(b)(29)(a), -803(b)	https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=a91a7acc-3082-4e65-bd12-4b4eb11f5106&nodeid=AAMAACAANAAFAAD&nodepath=%2fROOT%2fAAM%2fAAMAAC%2fAAMAACAAN%2fAAMAACAANAAF%2fAAMAACAANAAFAAD&level=5&haschildren=&populated=false&title=12-18-402.+Mandated+reporters.&config=00JAA2ZjZiM2VhNS0wNTVlLTQ3NzUtYjQzYy0yYWZmODJiODRmMDYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2fXiYCnsel0plIgqpYkw9PK&pddocfullpath=%2fshared%2fdocument%2fstatutes-legislation%2furn%3acontentItem%3a5VNX-12F0-R03N-43J6-00008-00&ecomp=8gf5kkk&prid=bca3d562-56ef-41df-8c97-389c63c89ec7	§12-18-402(b)(29)(a), -803(b)
California	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	PEN §11166(d)(1), §11165.7(a)(32)	https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&division=&title=1.&part=4.&chapter=2.&article=2.5.	PEN §11166(d)(1), §11165.7(a)(32)
Colorado	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§19-3-304(2)(aa), §13-90-107(1)(c)	https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=ac3941da-d951-43e8-9ec7-c3195280609b&nodeid=AATAAGAAEAAE&nodepath=%2FROOT%2FAAT%2FAATAAG%2FAATAAGAAE%2FAATAAGAAEAAE&level=4&haschildren=&populated=false&title=19-3-304.+Persons+required+to+report+child+abuse+or+neglect.&config=014FJAAyNGJkY2Y4Zi1mNjgyLTRkN2YtYmE4OS03NTYzNzYzOTg0OGEKAFBvZENhdGFsb2d592qv2Kywlf8caKqYROP5&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A65HV-01K3-GXF6-847X-00008-00&ecomp=8gf59kk&prid=f71e017f-0e01-46e5-ad96-77cc30a465be	§19-3-304(2)(aa), §13-90-107(1)(c)
Connecticut	Clergy listed, not exempt	§17a-101(b)(18)	https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_319a.htm#sec_17a-101	§17a-101(b)(18)
Delaware	✓ Any person, clergy exempt	16 §909, §903	https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c009/sc01/index.html#909	16 §909, §903
Florida	✓ Any person, clergy exempt	§39.201, -.204, §90.505	http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=mandatory+report&URL=0000-0099/0039/Sections/0039.201.html	§39.201, -.204, §90.505
Georgia	✓ Clergy not listed, clergy exempt	§19-7-5(c), -(g)	https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=a030308c-22c4-4ad8-bcf0-086f0f40c0b0&config=00JAA1MDBlYzczZi1lYjFlLTQxMTgtYWE3OS02YTgyOGM2NWJlMDYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2feed0oM9qoQOMCSJFX5qkd&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A6348-FVW1-DYB7-W4KC-00008-00&pdcontentcomponentid=234186&pdteaserkey=sr0&pditab=allpods&ecomp=8s65kkk&earg=sr0&prid=4136d8f0-4a05-4a01-9bae-ee02301afb3f	§19-7-5(c), -(g)
Hawaii	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§350-1.1(a)(10)	https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0350/HRS_0350-0001_0001.htm	§350-1.1(a)(10)
Idaho	✓ Any person, clergy exempt	§16-1605(3)(b)-(c)	https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title16/T16CH16/SECT16-1605/	§16-1605(3)(b)-(c)
Illinois	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	735 ILCS 5/8-803; 325 ILCS 5/4(a)(9), -(g)	https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=073500050HArt%2E+VIII+Pt%2E+8&ActID=2017&ChapterID=56&SeqStart=56800000&SeqEnd=57675000	735 ILCS 5/8-803; 325 ILCS 5/4(a)(9), -(g)
Indiana	Any person, clergy not exempt	31-33-5-1, 34-46-3-1	https://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2022/ic/titles/031#31-33	31-33-5-1, 34-46-3-1
Iowa	✓ Clergy not listed, no explicit exemption	§232.69	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2022/232.69.pdf	§232.69
Kansas	✓ Clergy not listed, no explicit exemption	38-2223	http://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch38/038_022_0023.html	38-2223
Kentucky	✓ Any person, clergy exempt	620.030(1), -(5)	https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=53977	620.030(1), -(5)
Louisiana	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	CHC 603(17)(b)-(c)	https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=73195	CHC 603(17)(b)-(c)
Maine	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	22 §4011-A(1)(A)(27)	https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22sec4011-A.html	22 §4011-A(1)(A)(27)
Maryland	✓ Any person, clergy exempt	FAM §5-705(a)(1), -(3)	https://advance.lexis.com/document/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=babc92de-6926-4fdf-8355-74f0465736bd&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A63SM-VWG1-DYB7-W0RY-00008-00&pdtocnodeidentifier=AAQAAGAANAAJ&ecomp=sw2ck&prid=780a87ea-2ced-4d93-a535-5232ab40b268	FAM §5-705(a)(1), -(3)
Massachusetts	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	1.17.119 §51A(j), §21	https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVII/Chapter119/Section51A	1.17.119 §51A(j), §21
Michigan	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§722.623(1)(a), -.631	https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(kkakbj5sb5uokqhbvhdvcbp2))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-722-631	§722.623(1)(a), -.631
Minnesota	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§260E.06(1)(a)(2)	https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/260E.06	§260E.06(1)(a)(2)
Mississippi	Clergy listed, not exempt	§43-21-353(1), -(3)	https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=6698978c-75b0-4b51-9b2f-e2fb0343cdc6&nodeid=AAXAARAAHAAC&nodepath=%2FROOT%2FAAX%2FAAXAAR%2FAAXAARAAH%2FAAXAARAAHAAC&level=4&haschildren=&populated=false&title=%C2%A7+43-21-353.+Duty+to+inform+state+agencies+and+officials%3B+duty+to+inform+individual+about+whom+report+has+been+made+of+specific+allegations.&config=00JABhZDIzMTViZS04NjcxLTQ1MDItOTllOS03MDg0ZTQxYzU4ZTQKAFBvZENhdGFsb2f8inKxYiqNVSihJeNKRlUp&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A8V9G-4BR2-D6RV-H146-00008-00&ecomp=8gf5kkk&prid=7fbe1c92-4ea0-4d3f-aba2-a72576affb1d	§43-21-353(1), -(3)
Missouri	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§210.140, -.115(1), §352.400(2)	https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=210.140&bid=11309&hl=	§210.140, -.115(1), §352.400(2)
Montana	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	41-3-201(2)(h), -(6)(b)	https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0410/chapter_0030/part_0020/section_0010/0410-0030-0020-0010.html	41-3-201(2)(h), -(6)(b)
Nebraska	Any person, clergy not exempt	§28-711, -707(2), §27-506	https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-711	§28-711, -707(2), §27-506
Nevada	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§432.220(4)(d)	https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-432b.html#NRS432BSec220	§432.220(4)(d)
New Hampshire	Clergy listed, not exempt	12 §169-C:32, -29	https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XII/169-C/169-C-32.htm	12 §169-C:32, -29
New Jersey	Any person, clergy not exempt	9:6-8.10	https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes%2F1%2F7044%2F7144	9:6-8.10
New Mexico	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	32A-4-3.A, N.M. R. Evid. 11-506	https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4389/index.do#!b/32A-4-3	32A-4-3.A, N.M. R. Evid. 11-506
New York	✓ Clergy not listed, no explicit exemption	SOS §413	https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/SOS/413	SOS §413
North Carolina	Any person, clergy not exempt	§7B-310, -301(a)	https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7B/GS_7B-310.html	§7B-310, -301(a)
North Dakota	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§50-25.1-03(1)	https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t50c25-1.pdf#page=4	§50-25.1-03(1)
Ohio	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§2151.421(4)(a)-(e)	https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2151.421	§2151.421(4)(a)-(e)
Oklahoma	Any person, clergy not exempt	10A §1-2-101.B.1, -.4	https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=455989	10A §1-2-101.B.1, -.4
Oregon	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§419B.010(1), -.005(5)(h)	https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors419B.html	§419B.010(1), -.005(5)(h)
Pennsylvania	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	23 §6311.1(b)(1), §6311(a)(6)	https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=23&div=0&chpt=63&sctn=11&subsctn=1	23 §6311.1(b)(1), §6311(a)(6)
Rhode Island	Any person, clergy not exempt	§40-11-11, -3(a)	http://webserver.rilegislature.gov//Statutes/TITLE40/40-11/40-11-11.htm	§40-11-11, -3(a)
South Carolina	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§63-7-420, -310(A)	https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t63c007.php	§63-7-420, -310(A)
South Dakota	✓ Clergy not listed, no explicit exemption	§26-8A-3	https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/2050731	§26-8A-3
Tennessee	Any person, clergy not exempt	§37-1-403, -605(a)	https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=1d96291b-8122-46cf-9d41-c9e5e452acd7&nodeid=ABLAABAAEAAD&nodepath=%2FROOT%2FABL%2FABLAAB%2FABLAABAAE%2FABLAABAAEAAD&level=4&haschildren=&populated=false&title=37-1-403.+Reporting+of+brutality%2C+abuse%2C+neglect+or+child+sexual+abuse+%E2%80%94+Notification+to+parents+of+abuse+on+school+grounds+or+under+school+supervision+%E2%80%94+Confidentiality+of+records.&config=025054JABlOTJjNmIyNi0wYjI0LTRjZGEtYWE5ZC0zNGFhOWNhMjFlNDgKAFBvZENhdGFsb2cDFQ14bX2GfyBTaI9WcPX5&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A50G5-1WK0-R03M-41NM-00008-00&ecomp=8gf5kkk&prid=b5c41f25-8245-448c-a30c-4fbef61f9c1b	§37-1-403, -605(a)
Texas	Any person, clergy not exempt	FAM §261.101(a), -(c)	https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.261.htm#261.101	FAM §261.101(a), -(c)
Utah	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§80-2-602(3)-(4)	https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title80/Chapter2/80-2-S602.html?v=C80-2-S602_2022050420220901	§80-2-602(3)-(4)
Vermont	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	33 §4913(a)(12), -(j), -(k)	https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/33/049/04913	33 §4913(a)(12), -(j), -(k)
Virginia	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§63.2-1509(19)	https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter15/section63.2-1509/	§63.2-1509(19)
Washington	✓ Clergy not listed, no explicit exemption	§26.44.030(1)(b), -.060(3)	https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.44.030	§26.44.030(1)(b), -.060(3)
West Virginia	Clergy listed, not exempt	§49-2-811, -803	https://code.wvlegislature.gov/49-2-811/	§49-2-811, -803
Wisconsin	✓ Clergy listed, exempt	§48.981(2)(bm)(3)	https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/48.981(2)(bm)3.	§48.981(2)(bm)(3)
Wyoming	Any person, clergy not exempt	§14-3-205(a)	https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=2b632305-b386-4a33-a2ff-ce755ed3915d&nodeid=AAOAAEAADAAG&nodepath=%2FROOT%2FAAO%2FAAOAAE%2FAAOAAEAAD%2FAAOAAEAADAAG&level=4&haschildren=&populated=false&title=%C2%A7%E2%80%8214-3-205.+Child+abuse+or+neglect%3B+persons+required+to+report.&config=00JABmMTEzODA5Zi0wOWExLTQ3NTAtOThmNy0xYjc5ZjUwYzRkZmIKAFBvZENhdGFsb2f3sjqEYfYX7EMD8yWYBYCu&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A5YFJ-H9F3-GXJ9-321D-00008-00&ecomp=8gf5kkk&prid=745b29aa-ade8-4e76-a859-ea6249f47694	§14-3-205(a)

Note on citations:
Where multiple laws are cited, the link is for the first listed. To find subsequent laws -or- in cases where a state's laws are not possible to link to directly, use the citation number to manually navigate to the statute of interest. For more precise information on citations as well as our reasoning behind each score, download the full data set which includes additional research notes.

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