Youth 71Five Ministries v. Williams
Pending Petition
Issue
(1) Whether a religious organization can raise the First Amendment right to religious autonomy as an affirmative claim challenging legislative or executive action under 42 U.S.C. 1983, like other constitutional rights, or whether the doctrine may only be asserted as an affirmative defense after a suit has been filed; and (2) whether a state violates the First Amendment by conditioning access to a public grant program on a religious organization waiving its right to employ coreligionists, including for ministerial positions.
Dec 23, 2025Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due February 2, 2026)Jan 12, 2026Waiver of right of respondent Charlene Williams, et al. to respond filed.
Jan 14, 2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/20/2026.
Jan 16, 2026Response Requested. (Due February 17, 2026)
Feb 4, 2026Motion to extend the time to file a response from February 17, 2026 to March 19, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.Feb 5, 2026Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including March 19, 2026.
Feb 13, 2026Brief amicus curiae of Heartbeat International, Inc. filed.Feb 13, 2026Brief amici curiae of Samaritan's Purse, et al. filed.Feb 17, 2026Brief amici curiae of Professor Stephanie Barclay, et al. filed.Feb 17, 2026Brief amici curiae of Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty, et al. filed.Feb 17, 2026Brief amici curiae of Montana, et al. filed.Feb 17, 2026Brief amici curiae of Christian Legal Society, et al. filed.Feb 24, 2026Letter of Errata of State of Montana not accepted for filing. (March 02, 2026)
Mar 19, 2026Brief of respondents Charlene Williams, et al. in opposition filed.Mar 20, 2026Waiver of the 14-day waiting period for the distribution of the petition pursuant to Rule 15.5 filed by petitioner.Mar 25, 2026DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/17/2026.
Mar 30, 2026Reply of petitioner Youth 71Five Ministries filed. (Distributed)Recommended Citation: Youth 71Five Ministries v. Williams, SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/youth-71five-ministries-v-williams/