On February 24, 2020, the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by a Catholic social services agency from the decision of the City of Philadelphia to stop allowing the agency to provide foster care to city residents.
Catholic Social Services does not accept same-sex couples to act as foster families.
The City says that the practice violates its non-discrimination policies. CSS says the policy constitutes religious discrimination. The case will address the legal standards to be applied to First Amendment religious freedom issues, including how to determine whether a law is “neutral” or “generally applicable” even when it places a burden on religious beliefs or practices.
heARTbeat is a publication of KingSpry’s Adoption Law and Assisted Reproductive Technology Law Practice Group. It is meant to be informational and does not constitute legal advice.
