The clergy usually only get an exemption when it is a confessional type of arrangement, one priest, on confessor. Since the JWs do not have this arrangement the courts have usually ruled pentinent privilege does not apply to them. A JC cannot claim pertinent privilege because three elders are involved. All mandatory reporting laws in force do apply.
The clergy-penitent privilege, clergy privilege, confessional privilege, priest-penitent privilege, clergyman-communicant privilege, or ecclesiastical privilege is an application of the principle ofprivileged communication that protects the contents of communications between a member of the clergy of any religious faith (a “clergy” is a minister, priest, rabbi, or other similar functionary of a religious organization, or an individual reasonably believed to be so by the person consulting him) and a penitent, who shares information in confidence. It stems from the principle of confessional privilege. It is a distinct concept from that of confidentiality (see non-disclosure agreement).