Constitutional Law
Jul. 21, 2025
US judge blocks Washington law making priests report abuse confessions
Catholic bishops challenged Washington's new clergy reporting law that requires them to disclose what they hear about in confession, and a federal judge agreed the measure likely fails strict scrutiny under the First Amendment.
A federal judge in Washington state on Friday granted a preliminary injunction blocking a law there that would have required clergy including Catholic priests to report child abuse and neglect they hear about in confession.
Bishops in Washington state sued to block the law, SB 5375, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops -- represented by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP partner Julian W. Poon of Los Angeles -- filed an amicus curiae brief in support this week.
U.S....
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