New Blue State Law Would Turn Pastors into Government Informants

Washington state has enacted one of the most dangerous assaults on religious freedom in America. Senate Bill 5375 forces clergy to act as state informants, requiring them to report not only cases of sexual or physical abuse, but also vague accusations of “maltreatment” and threats to a child’s “health” or “welfare.”

What does that mean in practice? A priest, pastor, or rabbi could be compelled to turn in parents who refuse to affirm a child’s chosen gender identity, oppose an abortion, or hold traditional views on sexuality. Even the sacred seal of confession is under attack. Clergy who refuse to violate their vows of confidentiality could face criminal penalties.

This is not about protecting children—it’s about using government power to crush religious liberty. In Washington, abortion is treated as a health care right for minors, and state agencies already require foster parents to affirm a child’s gender identity. Under SB 5375, those standards could be applied against parents of faith, with pastors forced to act as the state’s eyes and ears.

Three Catholic bishops have sued, and a federal court has temporarily blocked the state from prying into the confessional. But the law still applies in other situations, and if it stands, progressive states across the country could follow Washington’s lead.

The question is simple: will America defend the First Amendment, or will we allow government to spy on sacred rites and punish parents for living according to their faith? With the 2026 elections approaching, it’s time for Americans to demand real leadership that protects religious liberty before it’s too late.

Are you interested in learning more about this important law? Read my new article for FoxNews.com, available by clicking here.