What is the rational basis test in legal discrimination cases?

The rational basis test is a standard of judicial review used in cases involving discrimination that does not involve suspect classifications or fundamental rights. This test holds that a law or policy is constitutional as long as it is rationally related to a legitimate government interest. This means that the government must have a valid reason for the law or action in question, and the means chosen to achieve that reason must be reasonable and not arbitrary.

In this context, the correct answer emphasizes that the primary evaluation in cases of discrimination under the rational basis test revolves around whether the discriminatory practice has a legitimate government purpose and whether there is a rational connection between the practice and that purpose. Courts typically uphold laws scrutinized under this test unless the discrimination is judged to be without any reasonable basis, or too far removed from the interests purported by the government.