Legal Commentary

Fifth Circuit Holds That Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act Mandates Exemption from School Hair-Length Restriction

By Eugene Volokh

The case is A.A. v. Needville Indep. School Dist., decided today; the opinion is written by Judge Higginbotham and joined by Judge Wiener, but Judge Jolly dissents. Here is the opening paragraph of the majority opinion:

A Native American boy and his parents challenge a school district?s requirement that he wear his long hair in a bun on top of his head or in a braid tucked into his shirt. We agree with the district court that the requirement offends a sincere religious belief and hold it invalid under Texas law.

For more details on American religious exemption law, see here.

Full post as published by The Volokh Conspiracy on July 09, 2010 (boomark / email).