Court Upholds Philadelphia’s Non-Discrimination Child Welfare Policies In Suit By Catholic Social Services

On July 13, 2018, a federal District Court judge ruled against Catholic Social Services ("Catholic") in its lawsuit challenging the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) decision to stop foster care referrals to Catholic after learning that Catholic would not do home studies with same-sex couples. The city argues that its contract prevents contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. The judge said DHS can require its foster care contractors to adhere to the city’s non-discrimination policies outlined in the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance, and that closing Catholic’ foster care intake did not violate the . . .