A Connecticut judge has upheld the state's ban on religious exemptions for school vaccinations, dismissing a legal challenge brought by several parents.

The lawsuit argued that Connecticut's policy violated the state's 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

However, lawmakers amended the law in May to specifically state that it does not apply to school vaccine requirements. The change was made retroactive to pending lawsuits.

The judge dismissed the remaining claims in the case after constitutional challenges had already been rejected.

Connecticut law now requires students to be vaccinated against certain diseases before enrolling in school.

Prior to 2021, families could seek either medical or religious exemptions.

That changed when Connecticut became the sixth state to eliminate religious exemptions for new applicants after Gov. Ned Lamont signed the legislation. The law took effect in September 2022.

Attorney General William Tong welcomed the ruling, saying, "Vaccines save lives. Today's decision affirms what we have said since day one, Connecticut's commonsense school vaccine requirements are lifesaving and lawful."