Section 1. Section 232.69, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2003, is amended to read as follows:

The classes of persons enumerated in this subsection shall

make a report within twenty-four hours and as provided in

section 232.70, of cases of child abuse. In addition, the

classes of persons enumerated in this subsection shall make a

report of abuse of a child who is under twelvesixteen years

of age and may make a report of abuse of a child who is twelve

sixteen years of age or older, which would be defined as child

abuse under section 232.68, subsection 2, paragraph "c" or

"e", except that the abuse resulted from the acts or omissions

of a person other than a person responsible for the care of

the child.

Sec. 2. Section 232.69, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 2003, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph:

NEW SUBPARAGRAPH (13) A member of the clergy. However,

if the belief that a child has suffered abuse arises from

information obtained only during a penitential communication,

the clergy member is not subject to the requirement to make

the report. This subparagraph shall not be construed to

modify or limit a clergy member's duty to report the belief

that a child has been abused when the clergy member is acting

in some other capacity that would otherwise make the clergy

member a mandatory reporter of abuse. For the purposes of

this subparagraph, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Clergy member" or "member of the clergy" means an

individual who is designated as clergy by ordination,

licensing, or other form of entitlement by the religious group

or sect with whom the individual is affiliated.

(b) "Penitential communication" means a communication

intended to be in confidence, including but not limited to a

sacramental confession made to a clergy member who, in the

course of the discipline or practice of the clergy member's

religious group or sect, is authorized to hear those

communications, and under the discipline, practice, tenets, or

customs of the religious group or sect, the clergy member has

the duty to keep the communication secret.

Sec. 3. Section 232.69, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2003, is amended to read as follows:

b. A person required to make a report under subsection 1,

other than a physician whose professional practice does not

regularly involve providing primary health care to children or

a member of the clergy, shall complete two hours of training

relating to the identification and reporting of child abuse

within six months of initial employment or self-employment

involving the examination, attending, counseling, or treatment

of children on a regular basis. Within one month of initial

employment or self-employment, the person shall obtain a

statement of the abuse reporting requirements from the

person's employer or, if self-employed, from the department.

The person shall complete at least two hours of additional

child abuse identification and reporting training every five

years.