New York Public Personnel Law: Second Circuit affirms its school immunization ruling after reconsidering its ruling "in light of Mahmoud v. Taylor, 606 U.S. 522"

Jul 2, 2026

Second Circuit affirms its school immunization ruling after reconsidering its ruling "in light of Mahmoud v. Taylor, 606 U.S. 522"

In 2019, New York State repealed the religious beliefs exemption to its school immunization law resulting in the law applying to all students attending public, private, or parochial schools, except those who qualify for the law’s medical exemption.

As summarized by the Second Circuit, "Amish parents, Amish community schools, and a representative of Amish schools in New York—sued under 42 U.S.C. §1983, claiming that the law violates the Free Exercise Clause and their parental free-exercise rights under Wisconsin v. Yoder. The district court dismissed the complaint."

The Second Circuit affirmed, but the Supreme Court vacated the Second Circuit's decision and remanded "for reconsideration in light of Mahmoud v. Taylor, 606 U.S. 522" (2025).

The Second Circuit, "having reconsidered the case with the benefit of supplemental briefing", again AFFIRMED.

Click HERE to access the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit's decision posted on the Internet.

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