This State Says Priests Shouldn’t Have to Report Child Abuse

The South Dakota state legislature decided yesterday to oppose a measure adding clergy members to the state’s list of professionals required to report child abuse. 

HB 1230 narrowly failed in the state House by 33 to 34 votes, thereby not meeting the requisite support for passage to the Senate. (KELO-TV)
 

Representative Erin Healy, a Sioux Falls Democrat, tried to revive it. But House members voted 39-28 against her reconsideration motion.

Representative Randy Gross, an Elkton Republican, spoke against the bill, saying it didn’t reach far enough into the world’s many religions.

“My philosophy is, let’s do it right or not at all,” Gross said.

Representative Scyller Borglum, a Rapid City Republican who holds a master’s degree in divinity studies, said the many professions already on the mandatory-reporters list prove its necessity.

South Dakota is reportedly one of eight states that don’t legally compel clergy members to report child abuse.