NY S01399

Adds clergy members and other ministers of any religion to the list of persons required to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment under Social Services Law Section 413.

Exempts clergy members from mandatory reporting requirements when abuse or maltreatment information is received through a confession or confidence made in their professional capacity as a spiritual advisor, unless the person confessing waives the privilege.

Requires clergy members to report suspected abuse or maltreatment based on information received through means other than confession or confidence, even if they also received a report through a protected confession.

Clarifies that the clergy privilege does not exempt them from other legal requirements to prevent perpetrators from committing additional acts of abuse.

Defines "member of the clergy" to include persons responsible for supervising clergy or administering religious institutions, and "religious institution" according to the Religious Corporations Law.