Supreme Court of the United States
Mitchell v. Helms
June 28, 2000530 U.S. 793
Summary
The Court held that Chapter 2 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 does not violate the Establishment Clause when applied to religious schools because the aid is neutral, secular, and allocated based on neutral criteria. To the extent Meek and Wolman conflict, they are overruled. Justice Souter dissented, arguing neutrality alone is insufficient. Justice O'Connor concurred in the judgment, objecting to the plurality's view on neutrality and diversion.