This Bill Would Make Clergy in Washington Mandatory Reporters | Discussing SB 5375 with Senator Noel Frame
Preacher Boys Podcast
Eric Skwarczynski
4.6 • 701 Ratings
🗓️ 12 March 2025
⏱️ 12 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Right now, Washington is one of just five states that does not require clergy to report child abuse.
Senator Noel Frame wants to change that.
She has introduced Senate Bill 5375, a bill that would make clergy mandatory reporters, with no exceptions for what is said during a religious confession. This is a controversial stance for faith groups like the Washington State Catholic Conference, which strongly oppose it.
I spoke with Sen. Frame today to learn why bills like this have historically stalled, her response to critics of the bill, and how her own experience as a survivor highlights the importance of mandatory reporting. I also asked her how people across the country can support this bill.
This is, of course, a very busy time for Senator Frame, and I really appreciate her taking a few minutes today to step aside and discuss SB 5375.
For context and clarity, this call took place today, March 11th, at 5:37 PM. The call lasted 8 minutes, and her answers are completely unedited.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Trigger warning. This podcast contains descriptions of various abusive situations. |
| 0:06.1 | Listener discretion is advised. My name is Eric Skrinski. As a former religious fundamentalist, |
| 0:13.0 | I'm shedding light on the dark side of the church, from the pulpit to the pews. But I'm not |
| 0:18.5 | doing it alone. Each week, I'm sitting down with survivors, |
| 0:21.8 | advocates, authors, and more to uncover the inner workings of these abusive religious groups |
| 0:27.3 | to give tactical tips on how to escape and to find out what we can do to take them down. |
| 0:34.3 | You're listening to the Bridge Boys podcast. Right now, Washington is one of just five |
| 0:39.5 | states that does not require clergy to report child abuse. Senator Noel Frame wants to change that. |
| 0:45.6 | She's introduced Senate Bill 5375, a bill that would make clergy mandated reporters, with no |
| 0:51.8 | exception for what's said in a religious confession. That's proved to be |
| 0:55.3 | a controversial stance for faith groups like the Washington State Catholic Conference and other |
| 0:59.9 | religious leaders which strongly oppose the bill. The right of penance, as the term right, |
| 1:04.7 | indicates, is a liturgy. It's an act of worship, it's prayer for us. The seal of confession is essential to the right because the penitent has the right to confess their sins. |
| 1:15.3 | Without worrying, their sins will become public. |
| 1:17.8 | The penalty for breaking that seal is excommunication. |
| 1:20.7 | I talked to Senator Frame today to find out why historically bills like this have stalled, |
| 1:25.3 | her response to critics of the bill, and how her |
| 1:28.1 | own experience as a survivor highlights why mandatory reporting is so important. I also asked |
| 1:33.3 | her how people across the country can support this bill as it makes its way to the House |
| 1:36.8 | committee on the 14th. This is obviously a very busy time for Senator Frame, and I really |
| 1:41.3 | appreciate her stepping aside for a few minutes today to take my call |
| 1:44.4 | and discuss SB 5375. For context and clarity, this call took place today, March 11, 2025, at 537 p.m. Eastern. |
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