Petersen v. Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue
The Ninth Circuit affirmed that Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue could deny religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates without undue hardship.
Chronological & Subject Repository
Topic: Free Exercise
February 2026
Jacobson v. Massachusetts
Individual liberty does not override the state's power to enact reasonable public health laws requiring vaccinations.
Kennedy v. Bremerton School District
A public high school football coach has the right to pray on the football field after games, protected by free speech and free exercise…
Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer
Religious organizations cannot be excluded from generally available public benefits solely because of their religious status.
Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue
A state cannot exclude religious schools from a generally available tax credit program based on the state constitution's no-aid provision.
Carson v. Makin
A state cannot exclude religious schools from a tuition assistance program based on the state's establishment clause concerns.
Shockley v. Adams
A state's refusal to allow a death row inmate's family members to serve as spiritual advisors in the execution chamber does not substantially burden…
Olivier v. City of Brandon
The Supreme Court will hear whether a street preacher can challenge a city ordinance regulating demonstrations near a public amphitheater despite having been convicted…
Wisconsin v. Yoder
Amish families have a constitutional right to withdraw their children from public schooling after eighth grade based on sincere religious beliefs.
Archbishop Paul D. Etienne v. State of Washington
A state cannot enforce a mandatory reporting law that compels Catholic priests to disclose information learned during the Sacrament of Confession, as this violates…