Pacific Justice Institute Secures Victory for Disabled Student Denied Benefits Over Christian Faith

Washington State reverses course after First Amendment challenge involving Blaine Amendment discrimination

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) has secured a favorable resolution in Chad

Rose v. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Vocational

Rehabilitation, a case involving the denial of state educational benefits based on religious status.

The case arose after Chad Rose, a disabled Washington resident, sought assistance through the state's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation program, which provides educational benefits to individuals pursuing new career paths that accommodate physical disabilities. Mr. Rose applied for benefits to attend a Christian university as part of his plan to become a counselor.

Despite otherwise qualifying for assistance, Mr. Rose was denied benefits because of his intent to pursue a religious education and vocation. The denial was based on Washington's application of its Blaine Amendment, a provision rooted in 19th-century state constitutional language historically used to restrict public funding connected to religious institutions.

PJI filed suit asserting that the denial violated the First Amendment to the United States

Constitution, which protects the free exercise of religion, as well as principles recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court in cases such as Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer, Carson v. Makin,

Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, and Truth Family Bible Church Middleton v. Idaho Housing and Finance Association, et al., which prohibit discrimination based on religious status in public benefit programs.

Following PJI's advocacy, the State of Washington agreed to provide Mr. Rose with the educational benefits he was initially denied and to cover the student loans he incurred as a result of that denial.

"This case is about ensuring that individuals are not excluded from public benefits simply because of their faith," said Tracy Tribbett, attorney with Pacific Justice Institute. "The Constitution requires equal treatment, and that includes protecting the right of individuals to pursue their education and vocation in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs."

PJI attorney Katherine Hartley emphasized the broader implications of the case for religious liberty and equal access.

"States cannot condition access to public programs on a person's willingness to abandon their faith commitments," Hartley said. "When government programs are available to the public, they must be administered in a manner that respects constitutional protections for religious exercise." PJI Founder and President Brad Dacus said the outcome represents a meaningful step forward in protecting Americans from religious discrimination in public programs.

"No American should be denied opportunity because of their faith," Dacus said. "This resolution affirms that the Constitution protects the right to pursue one's calling without government interference rooted in outdated and discriminatory provisions."

The case reflects a growing body of law addressing the limits of state constitutional provisions that restrict funding connected to religious institutions. Courts have increasingly recognized that such provisions must yield when they conflict with federally protected rights.

Pacific Justice Institute is a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to defending religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties nationwide. PJI attorneys regularly represent individuals whose constitutional rights are challenged by government action.

Learn more about Pacific Justice Institute's work defending civil liberties and constitutional rights: WWW.PJI.ORG.

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