In A.P. v. Department of Children and Families, (MA App. Ct., Oct. 21, 2016), a Massachusetts state appellate court vacated and remanded a decision of a Department of Children and Families Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer had upheld a
Howard M. Friedman
The Religion Clause blog, authored by Howard M. Friedman, provides detailed coverage of legal developments related to church-state relations and religious liberty. It focuses on court decisions, legislative proposals, and regulatory actions affecting religious exercise, zoning issues for religious institutions, and constitutional challenges involving religious freedom. The blog often analyzes cases involving the First Amendment, religious exemptions, and government regulations impacting religious practices. It also covers topics intersecting with health law, such as gender-affirming care and Medicaid policies, as well as education law where religious content in public school standards is contested. The content is primarily legal analysis and reporting on U.S. law and policy concerning religion and related civil rights.
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3rd Circuit: Preliminary Injunction Denied Even When Ultimate Success of RLUPA Challenge Is Likely
In Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church v. Township of Collier, (3d Cir., Oct. 19, 2026), the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction to bar enforcement of zoning provisions…
4th Circuit Refuses to Expand Exemptions from Anti-Discrimination Laws for Religious Employers
In Doe v. Catholic Relief Services, (4th Cir., Oct. 16. 2026), the U.S.4th Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision affirmed a Maryland federal district court’s holding that Catholic Relief Services violated Title VII and the Maryland Fair…
Oklahoma Board Rejects Religious Charter School on Non-Constitutional Grounds
According to an Oct. 15 press release from Oklahoma Attorney General Centner Drummond, the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board at its Oct. 12 meeting rejected the application of the Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School. If the Board had approved the…
Ohio’s School Choice Program Violates State Constitution
In Columbus City School District v. State of Ohio, (OH App., Oct. 15, 2026), an Ohio state appellate court held that Ohio’s Education Choice Scholarship Program, which is available to almost all Ohio K-12 students, regardless of family income…
India’s Supreme Court Says Backward Class Benefits Do Not Remain After Religious Conversion
In Secretary to Government v. Sameer Ahamed N., (Sup. Ct. India, Oct. 15, 2026), India’s Supreme Court held that when a Hindu who is entitled to affirmative action benefits as a member of a Hindu “backward class” converts to…
3rd Circuit: Chilling Effect of Unadopted Proposal Does Not Give Standing for Free Exercise or Establishment Clause Claim
In Bagal v. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, (3rd Cir., Oct. 14, 2026), the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal for lack of standing of a suit alleging that Rutgers University discriminated against Hindus.…
Judge May Not Bar Parents from Influencing Child’s Religious Participation When There Is No Threat of Harm to Child
In Lajara v. McMenamin, (PA Super. Ct., Oct. 14, 2026), a mother appealed an order entered by a Pennsylvania trial court awarding limited joint legal custody to both parents of their 11-year-old child. The appellate court vacated the portion…
Britain Issues Statistics on Hate Crimes in 2025-26
On October 8, the United Kingdom’s Home Office released the Official Statistics on Hate Crimes in England and Wales for the Year Ending March 2026. The total number of hate crimes was 146,825, up 7% from the prior year. Religion-based hate…
California Requires Employers to Provide Anti-Hate Speech Training to Employees
On September 27, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed A.B. 1803 (full text) which amends Cal. Gov. Code §12950.1 to require that beginning January 1, 2028, employers must provide anti-hate speech training to employees every two years. The training…