A controversial bill that would force clergy members to report some confessions will come to a vote next week.

The proposed bill would not apply to all confessions between a member of the clergy and their congregation. It would only cover suspected cases of possible child abuse or neglect.

If the bill gets approved, then members of the church would be classified as mandated reporters for the first time in history.

Clergy members, like priests, who do not comply with the law, should it pass, could face possible prosecution.

Critics of the proposed bill say priests in the Roman Catholic Church could be excommunicated if forced to reveal confessions.

The bill was recently approved in the Senate Public Safety Committee in a unanimous five to zero vote.

The next hearing is set for Aprill 22.