Connecticut Law Removing Religious Exemptions for Childhood Vaccines Upheld by Federal Court

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Connecticut Law Eliminating Religious Exemptions for Childhood Vaccines

A federal appeals court has ruled that a Connecticut law that eliminates religious exemptions for childhood vaccines is constitutional and legal. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit dismissed the claim that refusing religious exemptions for vaccinations was unconstitutional.

The court has ruled that a law must show hostility towards religion in order to affect religious practice. The court stated that exempting a student from a vaccination requirement due to a medical condition is not comparable to exempting a student who declines vaccination for religious reasons.

The court has ruled that a law in Connecticut that eliminates religious exemptions for childhood vaccinations is constitutional. The court stated that the accommodations made for religious objectors, such as allowing already enrolled children to maintain their exemptions, counter arguments that the law is hostile to religion. The law was introduced in 2021 to address a rise in religious exemptions over the past seven years. The court also noted that there was significant public opposition to the exemption elimination, with only a minority of public health agencies and associations supporting it.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, has defended the state's public health laws that require vaccinations, stating that overriding religious freedom is necessary to prevent the spread of preventable diseases. Tong emphasized that vaccines save lives and that the legislature acted responsibly in protecting the health of Connecticut families. He also expressed his commitment to vigorously defending the state's strong public health laws.

Connecticut has recently passed a law, known as Connecticut Public Act No. 21-6, that prohibits families from claiming religious exemptions for childhood vaccinations in preK-12 schools. This means that parents can no longer use religious reasons as a basis for not vaccinating their children. The law was implemented in September 2021.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont recently signed a bill into law, and two groups along with three mothers have filed a lawsuit to stop its implementation. The groups involved in the lawsuit are We the Patriots USA and CT Freedom Alliance, while the three mothers are Constantina Lora, Miriam Hidalgo, and Asma Elidrissi. Further details about the bill and the reasons behind the lawsuit are not provided in the given content.

The plaintiffs in a legal case have claimed that the removal of religious exemptions for vaccinations goes against their rights under the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause. They also argue that it violates their rights to privacy and medical freedom, which they believe are implied in the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments. Additionally, they argue that the removal of religious exemptions violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and infringes upon their liberty interest in raising their children, which they believe is protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The lead plaintiff in a case challenging a law in Connecticut that removed religious exemptions for vaccination plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. The group, We the Patriots USA, disagrees with the court's conclusion that the removal of the exemption does not violate the First Amendment's free exercise of religion or the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law. They plan to seek review of the decision in the Supreme Court to ensure equal justice for all children, not just in Connecticut but across the country.

A news site reader is provided with a press release regarding the Connecticut Religious Exemption repeal case. The press release announces the intention to bring the case before the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). The press release expresses gratitude to Attorney Norm Pattis for his ongoing fight for religious freedom and educational rights for all children. A link to the press release is provided for further information.

Several states, including Mississippi, California, New York, Maine, and West Virginia, have implemented policies that prohibit religious exemptions for vaccinations. These states have taken this step to ensure that K-12 students receive the required immunizations without any religious exemptions.