Catholic Charities of Sacramento, Inc. v. State of California

On August 5, 2004, the Center, along with the National Association of Evangelicals and Ethics and the Religious Liberty Commission, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Catholic Charities' petition asking the court to review the Supreme Court of California's March 1, 2004 decision.

Catholic Charities filed its initial lawsuit in the Superior Court of Sacramento County and subsequently appealed the lower court decisions to the Court of Appeal of California and the Supreme Court of California.

In its complaint Catholic Charities claims the California Women's Contraception Equity Act violates the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the First Amendment and it violates the California Constitution. The act requires employers who offer prescription drug coverage to their employees to include prescription contraceptives in the plan.

Documents:

Sidley & Austin Amicus Brief, Court of Appeal for the State of California (PDF-62K)

CA Court of Appeals (3rd District) Ruling (PDF-106K)

CLS Amicus Brief, Supreme Court of the State of California (PDF-119K)

CLS Amicus Brief, Supreme Court of the United States (PDF-178K)