89. Which of the following would be the strongest argument in challenging the constitutionality of the law under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?

A is correct. The Equal Protection Clause has been interpreted to extend to the fundamental right to procreate. See Skinner v. Oklahoma, 316 U.S. 535 (1942). In Skinner, the Court held that a state law that allowed for the sterilization of certain criminals violated the Equal Protection Clause because it denied them the fundamental right to procreate without a compelling state interest. Similarly here, a state law that burdens the fundamental right of procreation must satisfy strict judicial scrutiny, meaning it must be necessary to serve a compelling governmental interest. Therefore, an argument that the law does not pass strict scrutiny would be the strongest argument.

B is incorrect. This answer choice states the elements of intermediate judicial scrutiny, which is not the proper standard. Although laws that discriminate on the basis of sex receive intermediate scrutiny, a sex-neutral law like the sterilization requirement here constitutes sex discrimination only if the legislature intended that the requirement benefit or harm individuals because of their sex. There is no indication of such an intention from these facts. The disparate impact of the sterilization requirement on men is, by itself, insufficient to demonstrate sex discrimination.

C is incorrect. The state law receives strict judicial scrutiny because it burdens the fundamental right of procreation, not because it is racially discriminatory. A race-neutral law like the sterilization requirement triggers strict scrutiny only if the legislature intended that the requirement benefit or harm individuals due to their race. There is no indication of such an intention from these facts. The disparate impact of the sterilization requirement on members of a racial minority group is, by itself, insufficient to demonstrate race discrimination.

D is incorrect. This answer choice states the elements of rational basis scrutiny, which is not applicable in this case. The state sterilization requirement receives strict judicial scrutiny because it burdens the fundamental right of procreation.