Fulton v. Philadelphia

Philadelphia stopped working with Catholic Social Services in its foster-care program because the agency, for religious reasons, would not certify same-sex couples as foster parents. The Supreme Court is being asked whether that violated the agency's First Amendment rights and whether Employment Division v. Smith should be revisited.

The case is pending, and no Supreme Court decision is available yet. The Court is being asked whether Philadelphia's policy burdened religious exercise and whether Employment Division v. Smith should be reconsidered.

The case could shape how governments work with religious groups in public programs like foster care. For example, it may affect whether a faith-based agency can keep a city contract while following its religious beliefs.

Watch for oral argument or another scheduling move from the Court. No decision window is available yet.

The fight is over whether Philadelphia could stop working with Catholic Social Services because it would not certify same-sex couples. The agency says that condition violated its religious freedom.

Faith-based foster-care agencies, city governments, and families seeking foster placements could all feel the effects. The answer may shape contract rules in similar public programs.

The next major step is oral argument or another scheduling update from the Supreme Court. There is no decision timeline available yet.