Also known as: rationally relates · rationally relating · rational relation · rational relationship · rational basis
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A standard of judicial review under which legislation or a classification is upheld if it bears a rational relationship to a legitimate governmental interest.
The President issues an order barring pilots from several majority-Muslim countries after intelligence reports flag heightened hijacking risks at U.S. airports. Angelica, a foreign trainee denied entry, sues claiming religious animus. The court applies rational basis review and upholds the order because the stated national security purpose is rationally related to the entry limits.
Rajesh Rao files for bankruptcy to discharge student loans before applying to the state bar. The bar committee cites the filing as evidence of financial irresponsibility. The court sustains the denial because the inquiry into past financial conduct is rationally related to fitness to practice law.
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A state statute criminalizes use of contraceptives by married couples. Ryan Roberts and his wife challenge the law after arrest. Because the statute burdens a fundamental liberty, the court holds that a mere rational relationship to a legitimate purpose is insufficient to sustain it.
Pennsylvania enacts spousal-notification rules for abortions. Renata Russo, a married woman seeking the procedure, sues. The Court applies the undue-burden standard rather than asking only whether the rules are rationally related to a legitimate interest.
East Cleveland limits single-family homes to certain nuclear-family configurations. Roberto Reyes, a grandmother living with her grandson, faces eviction under the ordinance. The Court invalidates the rule because the classification bears no rational relationship to any legitimate density or traffic goal.
New London condemns waterfront homes to assemble land for a private redevelopment project expected to increase tax revenue. Ronald Reed, an owner whose property is taken, sues under the Takings Clause. The Court upholds the taking because it is rationally related to the legitimate public purpose of economic revitalization.
A law or classification survives if it is rationally related to a legitimate governmental interest. Courts defer heavily to legislative judgments and uphold measures even when they are underinclusive or overinclusive.
No. Federal alienage classifications receive rational basis review because Congress holds plenary power over immigration. A residency or status distinction is upheld if rationally related to a legitimate objective such as conserving benefits or easing administration.
A regulation on incoming prisoner mail is valid if rationally related to legitimate penological interests such as security and order. Courts grant substantial deference to prison administrators in making that determination.
Rational basis requires only a rational relationship to a legitimate end. Intermediate scrutiny demands that the means be substantially related to an important governmental interest and places a heavier burden on the government.
…test traditionally applied in the area of social and economic legislation is whether or not a law such as that challenged has a rational relation to a valid state objective. Williamson v. Lee Optical Co. , 348 U. S. 483, 491 (1955). The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment undoubtedly does place a limit, albeit a broad…