The Kansas Senate this week approved a legal requirement for members of the clergy to report suspected child abuse. The legislation, introduced in late February, now heads to the House for consideration.

does not consider clergy as mandatory reporters.

The introduction of the bill, Senate Bill 218, came about one month after

aimed at making clergy join the ranks other professionals including firefighters, police officers, therapists, social workers, teachers, etc... in being required to report suspected child abuse.

“Clergy leadership are adults that children must be able to trust to keep them safe.This bill mandates that they report suspected abuse or neglect to authorities. It is an extra layer of protection for all Kansas children," Holland said of the legislation introduced in January.