HB 1127 – AS INTRODUCED

2006 SESSION

06-2982

05/10

HOUSE BILL 1127

AN ACT relative to the obligation of religious leaders to report child abuse.

SPONSORS: Rep. Gile, Merr 10; Rep. Brueggemann, Merr 12

COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law

ANALYSIS

This bill clarifies that religious leaders are not exempt from child abuse reporting requirements.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

06-2982

05/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six

AN ACT relative to the obligation of religious leaders to report child abuse.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Religious Leaders; Obligation to Report Child Abuse. Amend RSA 516:35 to read as follows:

516:35 Religious Leaders. A priest, rabbi or ordained or licensed minister of any church or a duly accredited Christian Science practitioner shall not be required to disclose a confession or confidence made to him in his professional character as spiritual adviser, unless the person confessing or confiding waives the privilege. Nothing in this section shall exempt a religious leader from RSA 169-C:29.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.