Kansas House Bill HB2352

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/25
• Refer: 2/7/25
• Report Pass: 2/6/26
• Engrossed: 2/25/26
• Refer: 2/26/26

Caption

Requiring a duly ordained minister of religion to report certain abuse and neglect except when reporting would violate the penitential communication privilege and requiring training for persons obligated to report abuse and neglect.

Summary

HB 2352 amends Kansas child abuse and neglect reporting law to add duly ordained ministers of religion to the list of mandatory reporters. The bill provides that ministers must report suspected child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse like other designated professionals, but they are not required to violate the penitential communication privilege when the suspicion arises from a protected confession or similar religious communication. The measure also keeps existing reporting rules for other mandatory reporters and clarifies that reports may be made orally, with written follow-up if requested. The bill adds a new training requirement for everyone covered by the mandatory reporting statute. Covered reporters must complete training on the reporting law by July 1, 2026, or within six months of first becoming subject to the law after that date. The Department for Children and Families, or an approved partner, must provide the training. The bill also retains existing penalties for failing to report, interfering with a report, or knowingly making a false report, and it preserves immunity for good-faith reporting and participation in investigations or proceedings.

Impact

HB 2352 would amend K.S.A. 38-2223, Kansas’s mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting statute, by expanding the list of mandated reporters to include ordained ministers while preserving the statutory penitential communication privilege. It would also impose a statewide training mandate on all persons required to report under the statute, affecting medical professionals, mental health providers, educators, child care workers, first responders, social service workers, and clergy. The bill leaves in place the criminal penalties, immunity provisions, and reporting procedures already in current law.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad support in the House, passing emergency final action 111-5. That vote suggests strong bipartisan agreement on strengthening child protection reporting requirements and on requiring training for mandated reporters. The available record does not include committee testimony or floor debate, so the overall sentiment can be described as generally favorable with only limited opposition.

Contention

The main point of contention is the new obligation placed on clergy to report suspected abuse or neglect, balanced against the exception for penitential communications. Supporters likely view the change as closing a gap in child protection and ensuring ministers are treated like other mandatory reporters, while opponents may be concerned about religious liberty, confidentiality, and the scope of the penitential privilege. The training mandate may also raise implementation concerns for covered professionals and the Department for Children and Families, but the clergy-reporting issue is the most notable substantive dispute reflected in the bill text and caption.