Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue

This case was about Montana's tax-credit scholarship program for private school tuition and the state's decision to block families from using scholarships at religious schools. The Supreme Court resolved that dispute after parents argued the exclusion, and the end of the whole program because religious schools might benefit, discriminated against religion.

The case affects families who want to use student aid at religious schools and states that run school-choice programs. For example, it matters to parents seeking tuition help for a child to attend a religious private school.

The Supreme Court has finished this docket action. Montana and any affected lower courts or officials must follow the decision in future disputes over the program.

Parents challenged Montana's rule blocking scholarship use at religious schools. They said excluding those schools, and ending the program because they might benefit, was religious discrimination.

Families seeking tuition help for private religious schools could be directly affected. State lawmakers and education officials also may need to rethink how scholarship programs are written.

The Supreme Court's work on this case is over. State officials and lower courts must apply the decision as related disputes arise.