Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

Citation: Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-3-205(a)
Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, or who observes any child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, shall immediately report it to the child protective agency or local law enforcement agency or cause a report to be made.

Citation: Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-3-210
Evidence regarding a child in any judicial proceeding resulting from a report made pursuant to the reporting laws shall not be excluded on the ground it constitutes a privileged communication [and the privilege of confidential communication may not be claimed]:

• Between husband and wife

• Claimed under any provision of law other than § 1-12-101(a)(i) [regarding attorney-client or physician-patient privilege] and § 1-12-101(a)(ii) [regarding privilege of a clergy member or priest as it relates to a confession made to him or her in his or her professional character if enjoined by the church to which he or she belongs]

• Claimed pursuant to § 1-12-116 [regarding the confidential communication between a family violence and sexual assault advocate and victim]

 

Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

Professionals Required to Report
Not addressed in statutes reviewed.

Reporting by Other Persons
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 14-3-205
All persons must report.

Institutional Responsibility to Report
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 14-3-205(b)
If a person reporting child abuse or neglect is a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility, or agency, he or she shall notify the person in charge or his or her designated agent as soon as possible, who is thereupon also responsible to make the report or cause the report to be made. Nothing in this subsection is intended to relieve individuals of their obligation to report on their own behalf, unless a report has already been made or will be made.

Standards for Making a Report
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 14-3-205
A report is required when:

• A person knows or has reasonable cause to believe or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected.

• A person observes any child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect.

Privileged Communications
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 14-3-210
Evidence regarding a child in any judicial proceeding resulting from a report made pursuant to the reporting laws shall not be excluded on the ground it constitutes a privileged communication:

• Between husband and wife

• Claimed under any provision of law other than § 1-12-101(a)(i) [regarding attorney-client or physician-patient privilege] and § 1-12-101(a)(ii) [regarding privilege of a clergy member or priest as it relates to a confession made to him or her in his or her professional character if enjoined by the church to which he or she belongs

• Claimed pursuant to § 1-12-116 [regarding the confidential communication between a family violence and sexual assault advocate and victim]

Inclusion of Reporter's Name in Report
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 14-3-206
The report must include any available photographs, videos, and x-rays with the identification of the person who created the evidence and the date the evidence was created.

Disclosure of Reporter Identity
Not addressed in statutes reviewed.

Updated 06/01/2016

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