Nebraska Supreme Court Approves Competing Initiative Measures on Abortion
Last Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court rejected challenges to two competing state constitutional amendments relating to abortion. In State of Nebraska ex. rel. Brooks v. Evnan, (NE Sup. Ct., Sept. 13, 2024), the Nebraska Supreme Court held that the ballot initiative titled Protect the Right to Abortion does not violate the Nebraska Constitution’s single subject rule.…
Supreme Court Asked to Review Decision on Opting Students Out
A petition for certiorari (full text) was filed last week with the U.S. Supreme Court in Mahmoud v. Taylor, (Sup. Ct., cert. filed9/12/2024). Petitioners seek review of a 2-1 decision by the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in a challenge to a school board’s refusal to allow parents to opt their children out of exposure to…
10th Circuit Upholds Colorado’s Ban on Conversion Therapy
In Chiles v. Salazar, (10th Cir., Sept. 12, 2024), the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision held that Colorado’s Minor Conversion Therapy Law that bans mental health professionals from providing conversion therapy to minors does not violate the free speech or free exercise rights of mental health professionals. Rejecting petitioner’s free speech…
Jewish Students Sue Haverford College Alleging Title VI Violations
Suit was filed last week in a Pennsylvania federal district court by Jewish students as Haverford College alleging that the college has violated Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by discriminatory application of its nondiscrimination policy and willful failure to enforce its nondiscrimination policy to protect Jewish students. The complaint also alleges breach…
10th Circuit: Jail Violated Free Speech Rights of Volunteer Minister
In Jarrard v. Sheriff of Polk County, (11th Cir., Sept. 16, 2024), the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals held that Georgia jail officials violated the free speech rights of a volunteer county jail minister. Irritating both jail officials and other volunteer jail ministers, Rev. Jarrard believed and taught that baptism by immersion is necessary to…
European Court Says Spain Violated Rights of Jehovah’s Witness in
In Case of Pindo Mulla v. Spain, (ECHR, Sept. 17, 2024), the European Court of Human Rights held that Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights was violated by Spanish courts when they authorized a blood transfusion for a critically ill woman who, because of her beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness, had refused all…
Supreme Court Review Sought for NY Health Insurance Abortion Coverage
A petition for certiorari (full text) was filed yesterday with the U.S. Supreme Court in Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany v. Harris, (Sup. Ct., filed 9/18/24). In the case New York’s highest appellate court rejected a claim that the “religious employer” exemption to the state’s requirement that health insurance policies cover medically necessary abortion services is too…
Kentucky Governor Issues Executive Order Limiting Conversion Therapy for Minors
After attempts to get the Kentucky state legislature to ban conversion therapy for minors failed, on Wednesday Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear issued Executive Order 2024-632 (full text) which uses executive powers available to him to limit the practice. The Executive Order provides in part:The Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall take all actions necessary…
6th Circuit Rules on Christian Plaintiffs’ Standing to Challenge Michigan’s
In Christian Healthcare Centers, Inc. v. Nessel, (6th Cir., Sept. 20, 2024), a Christian membership-based medical service ministry and two Catholic K-12 schools challenged prohibitions on sexual orientation and gender-identity discrimination under Michigan’s public accommodation law (EAA) and its Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals found that plaintiffs had standing to…
Missouri Supreme Court Issues Opinions Supporting Prior Order on Abortion
As previously reported, on September 14 the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the Missouri’s Right to Reproductive Freedom amendment must appear on the November ballot, reversing a decision by a trial court. It indicated that opinions supporting its order would follow. Now the Court has filed those opinions. In Coleman v. Ashcroft, (MO Sup. Ct., Sept. 20,…