October Term 2020 · Docket 19-123
Does a city violate free exercise rights by denying a religious agency a foster care contract?
Catholic Social Services seeks a contract to place children. Philadelphia denies it because the agency rejects same-sex couples.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
The agency claims the city failed to tolerate its religious practice.
The city claims it only asks agencies to evaluate couples neutrally.
The city argues the agency holds delegated government power.
The agency argues lower courts misapplied existing free exercise law.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 45-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 39-35 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 39-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 33-29 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 33-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 55-29 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 55-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 13-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 13-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 53-25 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 53-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Catholic Social Services wants a city contract to place foster children. The city denies the contract because the agency rejects same-sex couples.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 45-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 33-29 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 33-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 53-25 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 53-25
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 4, 2020.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-41
What each side wants
Catholic Social Services wants a contract to place foster children.
Philadelphia wants to deny the contract to the agency.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 45-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 33-29 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 33-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 53-25 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 53-25
What each side says
The agency argues the city violated its free exercise rights.
The city argues the agency must evaluate all couples equally.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 45-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 33-29 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 33-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 53-25 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 53-25
What the justices asked
How many same-sex couples did the agency deny?
Does the city require the agency to endorse marriage?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 39-35 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 39-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 55-29 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 55-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 13-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 13-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-7
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of religious freedom in government contracts. It affects how cities manage foster care programs. It balances religious beliefs against equal treatment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 45-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 33-29 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 33-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 53-25 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 53-25
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-19 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 39-35 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 39-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 55-29 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 55-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 13-47 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 13-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-53 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 33-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 33-7
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 45-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 33-29 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 33-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 53-25 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 53-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 116, lines 45-31 — Transcript, file page 116, lines 45-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 33-29 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 33-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-51 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 89, lines 53-25 — Transcript, file page 89, lines 53-25
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.