The U.S. Supreme Court today (Order List) denied review in two groups of cases of interest to Religion Clause readers.
The first involved a challenges to the New York City ordinance requiring pregnancy service centers to disclose various items to potential clients. The 2nd Circuit upheld (by a 2-1 vote) the requirement to disclose whether or not there is a licensed medical provider on staff. It unanimously struck down the requirements to disclose whether or not the center provides or refers out for abortion, emergency contraception and prenatal care, and a requirement to disclose that the New York health department encourages women who may be pregnant to consult a licensed medical provider. (See prior related posting.) The cases are Evergreen Association, Inc. v. New York, NY, Docket No. 13-1462, cert. denied 11/3/2014) and Pregnancy Care Center v. New York, NY, (Docket No. 13-1504, cert. denied 11/3/2014). Reuters reports on the denial of review.
The Supreme Court also denied review in Episcopal Church v. Episcopal Diocese of New York, (Docket No. 13-1520, cert. denied 11/3/2014). The petition involved related decisions by the Texas Supreme Court in two cases holding that the neutral principles approach must be used in deciding ownership of property of the break-away Fort Worth diocese. (See prior posting.) AP reports on the Supreme Court's action.
