Connecticut Judge Dismissed Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit
A court ruled that eliminating religious exemptions for school vaccines complies with state law.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Allergies
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Connecticut Superior Court Judge Edward Krumeich dismissed a lawsuit brought by parents challenging the state law that removed religious exemptions for school vaccine mandates. The ruling confirmed that the policy does not violate the Connecticut Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Why it matters
The decision upholds the state's authority to mandate vaccinations in schools, rejecting arguments that the policy infringes upon religious beliefs regarding human life and blood purity.
Connecticut is one of five U.S. states, alongside California, Maine, Minnesota, and New York, that currently do not allow religious exemptions to school vaccine mandates. The litigation regarding these state requirements spanned four years.
The players
Edward Krumeich
He is the Connecticut Superior Court judge who authored the decision to dismiss the challenge to state vaccine laws.
Keira Spillane
She is one of the parents who filed the lawsuit challenging the elimination of religious exemptions for school vaccines.
Anna Kehle
She is a parent who acted as a plaintiff in the legal effort to restore religious exemptions for school immunizations.
The details
Judge Krumeich granted a motion to dismiss the case filed by parents Keira Spillane and Anna Kehle against state officials and school entities. Legislative actions in 2021 and 2026 explicitly clarified that religious exemptions are not protected under the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Timeline
The state passed a law regarding religious exemptions in 2021.
The Connecticut Supreme Court dismissed constitutional claims in 2024.
The state passed a law clarifying exemption status under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 2026.
Judge Krumeich granted the motion to dismiss the lawsuit on September 14, 2026.
The Big Picture
The ruling rests on the interpretation of the Connecticut Religious Freedom Restoration Act to determine if state-mandated health requirements supersede religious claims. This decision clarifies the legal boundary between public health directives and religious protections under state law.
Parents and students in Connecticut must continue to comply with state immunization requirements for school entry without the option for religious exemptions. This ruling maintains the existing regulatory environment for student health and school enrollment procedures.
The takeaway
This ruling establishes a firm legal precedent in Connecticut regarding the prioritization of public health mandates over individual religious exemptions in educational settings. Residents should remain aware that these requirements are strictly enforced for school attendance across the state.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's policies on Allergies and immunization requirements.
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