The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Several fundamentalist churches oppose a bill that would require members of the clergy to report child abuse, saying the legislation is an unnecessary intrusion into the separation of church and state.

The bill - supported by mainstream churches, including Roman Catholics and Methodists - easily passed the Senate last year but is stalled in a House committee.

Pastors of independent Baptist churches and evangelical congregations around Ohio say the requirement raises privacy concerns about pastors' approach to counseling and even church teachings on corporal punishment.

Ohio law already requires professionals such as doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, social workers and day-care employees to report suspected child abuse.