Supreme Court hears challenge by two Catholic preschools to Colorado public-funding condition
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a challenge by two Catholic preschools to Colorado’s requirement that preschools seeking public funds enroll children of gay or transgender parents. Colorado withheld funding from the schools, saying they violated state anti-discrimination laws by excluding those children. The court has sided with religious-rights claims in other cases.
More context
At Tuesday's hearing, two Catholic preschools contested Colorado's condition that they enroll children of gay or transgender parents to qualify for public funding. Colorado funds tuition at public and private preschools, including faith-based institutions, but withheld funding from the schools for violating state anti-discrimination laws. In a filing, Colorado said programme participants must enrol children regardless of the race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity of children or their parents. The state argued that the schools seek an exemption that would let them receive public money while turning away preschoolers. The dispute puts religious-exercise claims against state anti-discrimination protections. The Supreme Court has sided with religious-rights claims in several high-profile cases, some involving Colorado.
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Punch Newspapers reports the court was set to hear the Colorado Catholic preschools’ challenge, and MS NOW reports the justices hearing arguments on the same dispute. Both match the proposed event and its timing.