Federal Judge Rules Against Minnesota’s Ban on Religious Universities

A federal judge recently ruled that Minnesota’s prohibition on religious universities participating in state programs is unconstitutional. This decision stems from an amendment passed in 2023 to the state’s Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Act, which restricted eligibility based on faith statements and various personal characteristics such as race, creed, and sexual orientation.

Crown College and Northwestern University in St. Paul were the only institutions explicitly affected by this new law. Families connected to these universities challenged the limitations in federal court, seeking the ability to utilize PSEO funds for their children’s education.

In a ruling issued by US District Judge Nancy Brazel, it was determined that the Minnesota regulation infringed upon the First Amendment rights outlined in the state constitution, as well as the Freedom of Conscience clause. Judge Brazel emphasized that the ban on faith statements showed a lack of neutrality and wasn’t narrowly tailored to achieve legitimate educational interests.

Moreover, this ruling essentially means that the law, initially targeting religious institutions, failed to meet constitutional standards. The judge criticized the amendment as overly broad and not well-defined in terms of its application.

The Minnesota Department of Education had been attempting to limit religious universities from participating in state-funded educational initiatives since 2019. This push gained traction when Democrats took control of both legislative chambers.

The families involved in the lawsuit expressed their relief and gratitude regarding the ruling. Mark and Melinda Law, parents challenging the law, stated: “We raise our children and place their faith at the heart of our lives. Minnesota tried to quickly take it from us by denying the opportunity for our children to attend schools that reflect their beliefs.”

The legal group representing the plaintiffs, Beckett, heralded the ruling as a win for families statewide. Diana Thomson, a senior lawyer at Beckett, remarked on the implications of the ruling, emphasizing that blocking educational opportunities based on faith is not just illegal, but also morally problematic.

The Minnesota Department of Education did not respond immediately to inquiries following the ruling. During the legal proceedings, both parties had agreed on a temporary court order to halt the enforcement of the controversial law while the case was ongoing. Reports indicated during a hearing in December that the educational department was allegedly prioritizing policies that may not have been inclusive of all students.