SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND CLARIFIES RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION IN EMPLOYMENT STATUTES
The Supreme Court of Maryland has issued a decision in the case of Doe v. Catholic Relief Services that clarifies the religious exception in the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act. Ferguson, Schetelich & Ballew was legal counsel on an Amicus Brief filed in favor of an expansive reading of the statutory protection for religious organizations. The issue before the Court was whether the prohibition against employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation applies to employees of a religious organization, and if so to which employees. The issue had reached the Court as a certified question from the United States…