United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Maher v. Doe, 432 U.S. 526 (1977)

Maher v. Doe

No. 76-878

Decided June 20, 1977

432 U.S. 526

Syllabus

The District Court's holding that a Connecticut statute requiring that mothers of illegitimate children, as a condition to receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits, disclose to appellant Commissioner of Social Services the names of the children's fathers, was valid provided that the state authorities first determine, in accordance with § 402(a) of the Social Security Act, that appellee mothers of illegitimate children did not have "good cause" for refusing to disclose the fathers' names, taking into account the "best interests of the child," is vacated, and the case is remanded in light of an intervening amendment to the Connecticut statute so that the District Court can clarify whether appellant is free to make his own "good cause" and "best interests of the child" determinations in the absence of effective regulations of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

414 F.Supp. 1368, vacated and remanded.