Topic
Religious Exemption
317 published works
Religion Clause
Iowa Supreme Court: Nursing Student Did Not Have Sincerely Held Religious Objection to Covid Vaccine
In Perry v. Dordt University, (IA Sup. Ct., Oct. 23, 2026), the Iowa Supreme Court affirmed a trial court's holding that plaintiff, a Dodt University nursing student, did not have…
On Brief: Iowa's Appellate Blog
Iowa Supreme Court considers standards for assessing religious exemptions in special argument session in Spirit Lake
The Court held oral argument in Andrew Perry v. Dordt University in a special session on September 15 at 7:00 PM in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Question: Under what circumstances may…
Religion Clause
Iowa Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Religious Exemption from Required Covid Vaccine
This week, the Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Perry v. Dordt University, (IA Sup. Ct., argued 9/15/2026). (Video of full oral arguments.) In the case, nursing student Andrew…
Religion Clause
9th Circuit: Plan to Convince Vaccination Objectors to Reconsider Did Not Show Hostility To Religion
In Seagraves v. Wahington State Department of Children, Youth and Families, (9th Cir., July 21, 2026), the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of claims by 18 former…
Religion Clause
7th Circuit: Bus Driver Gave No Religious Reasons for Rejecting Covid Vaccine
In Snyder v. Chicago Transit Authority, (7th Cir., June 30, 2026), the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the firing of a Chicago Transit Authority bus driver for refusing…
AZAPP Blog
Stone v. Pima Cnty. – 6/11/2026
By Rob Franks
David Stone worked as a defense investigator for Pima County’s Public Defense Services. His duties included investigating cases and facilitating communication with people in jail. In October 2021, the Pima…
Religion Clause
2nd Circuit: Denial of Covid Vaccine Religious Exemption Because of Undue Hardship Triggers Only Rational Basis Review
In Vesterman v. New York City Department of Education, (2d Cir., June 3, 2026), the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a religious discrimination claim brought by…
The Employer Handbook Blog
If Prayer Isn’t Enough to Support a Religious Exemption Request, What Is?
When does a religious exemption request stop being religious? A federal appeals court just answered that question in a way that eight of its own judges found alarming. TL;DR: The…
Religion Clause
Cert. Petition Filed in Covid Religious Exemption Case
A petition for certiorari (full text) has been filed in Petersen v. Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue, (Sup. Ct., filed 4/16/2026). In the case, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected…
Religion Clause
9th Circuit Denies En Banc Rehearing in Vaccine Mandate Case
In Detwiler v. Mid-Columbia Medical Center, (9th Cir., April 15, 2926), the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied both a panel rehearing and an en banc rehearing in a…