BREAKING: SCOTUS Decision on Parental Rights

Today, in a significant victory for families, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of parental rights in Mahmoud v. Taylor.

In a 6–3 decision, the Court upheld parents' religious free exercise rights in directing the upbringing of their children. Writing for the majority, Justice Alito emphasized:

“[W]e have long recognized the rights of parents to direct ‘the religious upbringing’ of their children.” — Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue, 591 U.S. 464, 486 (2020), quoting Yoder, 406 U.S. at 213–214.

“[T]he right of parents 'to direct the religious upbringing of their children would be an empty promise if it did not follow those children into the public school classroom.”

The Court also held that claims involving these rights must be evaluated under strict judicial scrutiny, which is the highest level of legal protection. This ruling is a tremendous win for parents who send their children to public schools and have religious concerns about classroom materials that conflict with their family's beliefs.

By affirming parental rights, the Court recognized a foundational truth: families, not government institutions, are best suited to raise and educate their children. And when parents are free to fulfill that role, society benefits.