HI HB789

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 350-1.1(a) to allow clergy members to report child abuse or neglect information gained during penitential communications when exigent circumstances exist that justify disclosure to prevent imminent harm to a child.

Defines "member of the clergy" as a minister, pastor, priest, rabbi, Christian Science practitioner, or other similar functionary of a religious organization.

Defines "penitential communication" as a confidential communication, including sacramental confession, made to clergy authorized to receive it under religious discipline with a duty to keep it secret.

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 626:1-506 to clarify that the clergy-penitent privilege does not apply to communications relating to known or suspected child abuse or neglect when exigent circumstances exist that justify disclosure to prevent imminent harm.

Specifies that clergy members receiving reportable child abuse information from non-penitential sources must comply with reporting requirements regardless of whether they received the same information during a penitential communication.