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Latest News

Latest News

Written by Don Byrd, these updates bring together the latest news impacting the conversation around religious freedom and the separation of church and state.

BJC creates  ‘chaplain’ vote tracker for top 25 largest school districts in Texas as deadline approaches

BJC creates ‘chaplain’ vote tracker for top 25 largest school districts in Texas as deadline approaches

Texas SB 763 lets anyone who can pass a background check call themself a “chaplain” and have access to children in public schools.
HHS announces final conscience protection rule, repealing some Trump administration provisions

HHS announces final conscience protection rule, repealing some Trump administration provisions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a final rule governing the Biden administration’s interpretation and enforcement of laws protecting health care providers that object on religious or moral grounds from providing certain services.
Top religious liberty stories of 2023 and issues to watch in 2024

Top religious liberty stories of 2023 and issues to watch in 2024

With a presidential election on the horizon, an ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and democracy itself being questioned, 2024 promises to be a pivotal year with many significant areas to monitor.
Virginia Supreme Court announces controversial legal standard to revive teacher’s religious liberty claims over dismissal for refusing to use preferred student pronouns

Virginia Supreme Court announces controversial legal standard to revive teacher’s religious liberty claims over dismissal for refusing to use preferred student pronouns

This decision is just the latest in a new and controversial area of church-state law in which teachers argue their religious beliefs prohibit them from following public school policies regarding students’ gender identity.
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor leaves legacy of civic-minded church-state jurisprudence

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor leaves legacy of civic-minded church-state jurisprudence

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor left a remarkable legacy in church-state jurisprudence when she retired from the Court in 2006 after more than two decades as a Supreme Court Justice.
Justice Department files statement of interest supporting Oregon church’s free meal program

Justice Department files statement of interest supporting Oregon church’s free meal program

The DOJ's statement argues that a local ordinance restricting a church’s free meal program to no more than twice per week is a violation of the church’s religious freedom rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
Dept. of Education issues reminder, offers new tools to federally funded institutions to address and protect against hate-based incidents on campus

Dept. of Education issues reminder, offers new tools to federally funded institutions to address and protect against hate-based incidents on campus

In response to a recent rise in violence, harassment, and intimidation on college campuses, the Biden administration continues to emphasize its commitment to addressing religion-based hate here in the United States.
Tyler testifies before Congress on the same day of Speaker Mike Johnson’s election

Tyler testifies before Congress on the same day of Speaker Mike Johnson’s election

BJC again provided testimony before Congress last week, this time on the same day that the House of Representatives finally landed on a new speaker.
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