Department of Social Services v. Emmanuel Baptist Preschool

Memorandum Opinion. We granted leave in this declaratory judgment case to decide whether the State of Michigan, Department of Social Services, may constitutionally require the Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church and its preschool1 to obtain a license and comply with certain administrative rules in order to operate their preschool and daycare programs. Defendant objects to the license requirement and to certain administrative rules promulgated pursuant to the childcare organization act, 1973 PA 116,2 on the ground that the statute and rules violate its constitutional rights to religious freedom…