News

The U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies and Updates the Standard for Religious Accommodations Case Overview

On June 29, 2023, in a unanimous decision, the United States Supreme Court redefined how employers must evaluate religious accommodation requests under federal law. In Groff v. LeJoy, Postmaster General, the Court heard a civil rights challenge under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Mr. Groff, an Evangelical Christian, and a former postal worker residing in rural southeast Pennsylvania, asserted that the United States Postal Service (USPS) impacted his ability to observe his Sunday Sabbath as a religious day of rest because they required him to work certain Sundays. The USPS denied Groff’s request for an accommodation to not work on Sundays and began to progressively discipline Groff for his continuing refusal to do so. In light of an expected termination from employment, Groff instead resigned and then brought suit against the USPS alleging violation of Title VII for failing to accommodate his religious beliefs.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ISSUES REVISED TITLE IX REGULATIONS

On April 19, 2024, the United States Department of Education (“DOE”) issued final regulations for Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”). Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The new regulations go into effect on August 1, 2024, so school districts are encouraged to review their policies and procedures and provide staff training on these new regulations as soon as possible. The final regulations continue to list specific elements that must be included in any policy, such as range of disciplinary actions, standards of evidence, and procedures. The DOE has provided template policies here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/resource-nondiscrimination-policies.pdf and Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane will be creating model policies and notice letters as well.

Legal Updates

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ISSUES REVISED TITLE IX REGULATIONS

On April 19, 2024, the United States Department of Education (“DOE”) issued final regulations for Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”). Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The new regulations go into effect on August 1, 2024, so school districts are encouraged to review their policies and procedures and provide staff training on these new regulations as soon as possible. The final regulations continue to list specific elements that must be included in any policy, such as range of disciplinary actions, standards of evidence, and procedures. The DOE has provided template policies here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/resource-nondiscrimination-policies.pdf and Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane will be creating model policies and notice letters as well.

News

The U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies and Updates the Standard for Religious Accommodations Case Overview

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ISSUES REVISED TITLE IX REGULATIONS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ISSUES REVISED TITLE IX REGULATIONS

Braintree, MA

Boston, MA

Quincy, MA

News

The U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies and Updates the Standard for Religious Accommodations Case Overview

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ISSUES REVISED TITLE IX REGULATIONS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ISSUES REVISED TITLE IX REGULATIONS

Braintree, MA

Boston, MA

Quincy, MA

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