司法部调查华盛顿法律,要求神职人员举报虐待儿童行为,并列举了对宗教自由的关切。 DOJ investigates Washington law requiring clergy to report child abuse, citing religious freedom concerns.

美国司法部正在调查华盛顿州的新法律,该法要求神职人员报告虐待儿童或忽视儿童的情况,即便在供述中披露。 The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Washington State's new law requiring clergy to report child abuse or neglect, even if disclosed in confession. 由总督Bob Ferguson签名,法律授权神职人员向当局报告这类信息。 Signed by Governor Bob Ferguson, the law mandates that clergy report such information to authorities. 司法部辩称,这侵犯了《第一修正案》的宗教自由,因为它没有免除宗教忏悔,在提交报告的专业人员中专门挑出了神职人员。 The DOJ argues this infringes on First Amendment religious freedom, as it does not exempt religious confessions and singles out clergy uniquely among reporting professionals.