Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:
- The U.S. Department of Education determined that a school district in New Jersey violated federal law by asking students about their religious identities without parental consent.
- In two separate cases concerning Covid vaccine requirements, the 7th Circuit ruled that claims for religious exemptions under Title VII may include secular as well as religious elements.
- A federal district court in Maine rejected both parties’ motions for summary judgment in Pines Church v. Hermon School District, in which a church claims a school district discriminated against it, based on religion, by denying the church’s application for a long-term lease. The court ruled the case must go to trial.
- In Gethsemani Baptist Church v. City of San Luis, the US Department of Justice filed a statement of interest indicating that a Baptist church could file an RLUIPA challenge to city zoning laws without first applying for a conditional-use permit.
- In Athey Creek Christian Fellowship v. Clackamas County, an Oregon federal district court dismissed an RLUIPA claim concerning a requirement for a conditional use permit to build additions to a church building. The court held that requiring the plaintiff to reapply did not resemble what traditionally constitute substantial burdens under the RLUIPA.
- In Frankel v. Regents of the University of California, a federal judge ordered the University of California to devise a plan to curb the antisemitic treatment of Jewish students on campus.