Federal Judge Blocks Enforcement of Abortion and IVF Accommodations for Catholic Employers

The ruling grants a preliminary injunction against EEOC regulations, citing violations of religious freedom under the First Amendment.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor issued a preliminary injunction preventing the EEOC from enforcing rules that require employers to accommodate abortions and fertility treatments.
The injunction applies to over 8,000 Catholic employers, including 1,380 Catholic employers and 7,100 parishes, represented by the Catholic Benefits Association and the Diocese of Bismarck.
The judge argued that the regulations would force Catholic employers to act against their sincerely held religious beliefs, violating the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The ruling also halts enforcement of regulations related to transgender protections in the workplace, such as the use of pronouns and bathroom access consistent with gender identity.
The EEOC's rule, part of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, was intended to offer workplace accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, including abortion and fertility treatments.