NEW YORK
Long Island Press
Lauren Wolfe 06/16/2005 12:01 am
Albany has taken on a frenzied look in these last weeks of the legislative session. Debate is nonstop as lawmakers scramble to push through hundreds of bills. Among the pieces of legislation waiting in the New York State Senate is one that addresses a concern that arose out of the Catholic Church's priest abuse scandal, one that is strangely controversial.
The bill would add clergy to the list of people in 31 professions now mandated to report suspected child abuse. The list currently includes physicians, psychologists and even Christian Scientists and podiatrists. Adding clergy might seem like a no-brainer, but the legislation would not only add them to the group of mandated reporters, but also reclassify what kind of abuse such people would be legally required to report. That part is giving pause to some advocates who work with minors.
Sponsored by Sen. Stephen M. Saland (R-Poughkeepsie), the bill would necessitate that clergy report on all potentially sexual relationships between minors and those of age (allegations learned through confession would be excluded). Currently, the counseling adult can make a judgment about whether a relationship is abusive. Also, the proposal requires reporting of abuse or neglect by adults who are not parents or legal guardians. Current law only requires reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect when it involves a parent or legal guardian of the child.