Federal Appeals Court Allows Louisiana Ten Commandments Law to Take Effect

Ruling marks setback for parents who sued over the state's requirement to display the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A federal appeals court has cleared the way for a Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all classrooms of the state's public schools and universities to take effect. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a previous ruling that declared the law unconstitutional, stating that it must be assessed based on how local school boards ultimately implement it.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battle over the separation of church and state, with the appeals court ruling that the law cannot be deemed unconstitutional in all applications and that the context of the displays will matter. The decision marks a setback for parents who argued the law tramples on their religious rights under the First Amendment.

The details

In 2024, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, signed into law a measure known as H.B. 71, which required the display of posters or framed versions of the Ten Commandments in K-12 schools and state-funded colleges. The law made Louisiana the first state to require such displays since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar Kentucky law in 1980. A trial court judge initially blocked the law in November 2024, but the full 5th Circuit appeals court has now voted 11-7 to overturn that ruling.

  • In 2024, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed the Ten Commandments law.
  • In November 2024, a trial court judge blocked the law.
  • In October 2025, a three-judge 5th Circuit panel upheld the trial court's ruling.
  • In February 2026, the full 5th Circuit appeals court voted 11-7 to overturn the previous rulings and allow the law to take effect.

The players

Jeff Landry

The Republican governor of Louisiana who signed the Ten Commandments law in 2024.

Roake et al

The plaintiffs, a group of parents, who sued over the state's Ten Commandments law.

Brumley et al

The defendants, representing the state of Louisiana, in the lawsuit over the Ten Commandments law.

James Dennis

A U.S. Circuit Judge who dissented from the majority opinion, calling the ruling a 'calculated stratagem' to evade Supreme Court precedents.

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What they’re saying

“By placing that text on permanent display in public school classrooms, not in a way that is curricular or pedagogical, the State elevates words meant for devotion into objects of reverence, exposing children to government‑endorsed religion in a setting of compulsory attendance.”

— James Dennis, U.S. Circuit Judge (Dissenting opinion)

What’s next

The case is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which will ultimately decide the constitutionality of the Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.

The takeaway

This ruling highlights the ongoing legal battle over the separation of church and state, with the appeals court arguing that the context of the Ten Commandments displays will matter in determining their constitutionality. The decision marks a setback for those who argue the law violates the First Amendment, raising questions about the future of similar laws in other states.