Amish schools challenged a NY law mandating certain vaccinations for students to attend school.
The Supreme Court ordered the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to reconsider its decision upholding a New York State law that eliminated religious exemptions for mandatory school vaccinations. The 2019 law removed religious exemptions for vaccinations following a severe measles outbreak in schools.
In 2022, the New York health commissioner penalized three Amish schools between $20,000 and $52,000 for refusing to comply with vaccination requirements. The Amish schools and several parents challenged the penalties, arguing that the 2019 law violated their First Amendment rights. Earlier this year, the appellate court ruled that the law did not infringe upon parents’ religious rights.
Following these events, the Amish schools and parents appealed to the Supreme Court, highlighting the recent Mahmoud v. Taylor case, which recognized parents’ rights to exercise religious freedoms in schools.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the justices of the Supreme Court as they seek to protect and uphold U.S. citizens’ rights.
- For the Second Circuit Court as appellate judges consider the high court’s direction in this case.
Sources: Education Week, NY Times
