Connecticut Supreme Court partially dismisses appeal on religious exemptions to vaccines

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut Supreme Court has partially dismissed an appeal to the state’s law banning religious exemptions to the state’s childhood vaccine requirements, according to a ruling released Tuesday afternoon.

Spillane v. Lamont addressed 2021 legislation that eliminated the state’s religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements for schools, colleges and day cares.

The law has spurred protests since it was proposed, with thousands gathering outside of the Connecticut Capitol Building.

Most of the case’s claims — including that the law violated the state and national constitutions — were thrown out. The state court sent the claim that the law violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act back to a lower court. A requested injunction of the case had previously not been approved, and so the law stands while it remains in court.

“Vaccines save lives, school vaccine requirements remain in effect, and we are very confident in our position,” Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said in a written statement. “This merely dismisses most aspects of the challenge while allowing plaintiffs to continue to press one remaining part of their case in state court, where we will aggressively defend the state’s necessary and lawful actions to protect public health.”

Lindy Urso, the attorney for the plaintiffs, said in a written statement that the case’s core is the Connecticut Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

“We brought ancillary claims that we believe are valid under the state and federal constitutions but, after the 2nd Circuit’s ruling in the federal ‘We The Patriots’ case brought unwisely by other parties, we anticipated losing those claims here in state court,” Urso said. “But make no mistake, this decision is a victory for our plaintiffs and a victory for religious freedom in Connecticut and we look forward to pressing ahead with our Injunction motion so that we can get these disenfranchised children back to school while we await our trial.”

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a different challenge to the law. However, students who were already enrolled when the exemptions were allowed are exemmpt.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.