Filed Date: Sept. 3, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding in progress
[This summary is temporary while we research the case.]
On September 3, 2025, Plaintiffs, through the Alliance Defending Freedom, sued individuals involved with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families's (“DCF”) decision to revoke the licenses of Christian foster parents based on their religious beliefs.
Summary Authors
Claire Pollard (9/14/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71262612/parties/jones-v-mahaniah/
Whiting, Samuel (Massachusetts)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71262612/jones-v-mahaniah/
Last updated April 15, 2026, 5:13 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Sept. 3, 2025
Closing Date: Sept. 4, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiffs are Christians previously eligible to receive foster children.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
State
Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
Manager of the Northern Regional Licensing Unit of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services
Supervisor of the Northern Regional Licensing Unit of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of Massachusetts 1:25-cv-12449
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Foster care (benefits, training)
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Religion(s):
Case Summary of Jones v. Mahaniah, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46952/ (last updated 9/14/2025).