Free Exercise Challenge To Administration of Maine's Welfare Laws Rejected

In Lightfootlane v. Maine Department of Human Services, (D ME, Nov. 26, 2007), a Maine federal district judge accepted the recommendations of a federal magistrate judge to dismiss a challenge to Maine's administration of its General Assistance program. The court held that plaintiff, who operates a statewide Homeless Crisis Hotline, lacks standing to bring her challenge. It also rejected her claim that her free exercise of religion was infringed when the state's misapplication of law caused her to have to work harder to help her clients. The magistrate found unconvincing plaintiff's argument that "It is a religious doctrine of most religions 'to do good works'. Not merely to 'attempt' to do good works."