CLAUDIA WILKEN, District Judge.
Defendant Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) moves to dismiss Plaintiffs' second amended complaint (2AC). Plaintiffs James Chadam and Jennifer Chadam, individually and on behalf of their minor children A.C. and C.C., oppose the motion. Jennifer Chadam was appointed guardian ad litem. Plaintiffs have filed an opposition, and PAUSD has filed a reply. Having considered the papers, the Court GRANTS PAUSD's motion to dismiss.
The following facts are alleged in the complaint and taken as true for the purposes of this motion.
James and Jennifer Chadam (the Chadams or Plaintiffs) reside in Palo Alto, California with A.C. and C.C., their minor children. 2AC ¶ 1. As a newborn, C.C. underwent genetic screening following cardiac surgery. 2AC ¶ 5. The screening indicated that C.C. had genetic markers for cystic fibrosis (CF), but further testing revealed he did not have CF. 2AC ¶ 5.
On July 22, 2012, Jennifer Chadam enrolled her sons A.C. and C.C. in a middle school owned and operated by PAUSD.
On August 22, one of C.C.'s teachers contacted the Chadams regarding C.C.'s medical condition.
On September 11, 2012, PAUSD arranged for the Chadams to attend a meeting with Gregory Barnes, the middle school's principal, along with Linda Lenoir, PAUSD Nurse, and Grant Althouse, the Vice Principal and Administrator of sixth grade.
On or about September 13, 2012, Dr. Carlos Milla sent a letter to PAUSD regarding the medical issues raised by C.C.'s presence at Jordan Middle School.
On September 14, Jennifer Chadam informed Mr. Barnes that she did not want C.C. to be transferred out of Jordan Middle School.
On September 16, 2012, Mrs. X sent a letter to Ms. Lenoir requesting that C.C. be removed from Jordan Middle School so that her children could return to school.
On September 17, 2012, the Chadams received a call from Mr. Barnes informing them that, based on Mr. and Mrs. X's demands, and based on C.C.'s private medical information, PAUSD intended to prohibit C.C. from attending Jordan Middle School and to transfer him to another PAUSD middle school.
On September 20, the Chadams provided a letter from Dr. John Morton, explaining that C.C. did not have any signs of CF.
On September 24, 2012, Jennifer Chadam offered to provide Mr. Young more medical evidence that C.C. was not a risk to any other child.
On October 10, C.C. was removed from his classroom at Jordan Middle School and told it was his last day at the school.
On September 6, 2013, the Chadams brought this suit in federal court, alleging (1) violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12101
The Chadams' second amended complaint alleges four causes of action: (1) violation of the ADA; (2) violation of § 504; (3) violation of the First Amendment; and (4) negligence.
A complaint must contain a "short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). The plaintiff must proffer "enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face."
In considering whether the complaint is sufficient to state a claim, the court will take all material allegations as true and construe them in the light most favorable to the plaintiff.
When granting a motion to dismiss, the court is generally required to grant the plaintiff leave to amend, even if no request to amend the pleading was made, unless amendment would be futile.
In its previous order, this Court required that, in any amended complaint, the Chadams were to "provide the status of the state court action involving the same events and explain why this action is not barred by the state court action due to either res judicata or release of claims." Order Grant. Mot. Dismiss 17:20-23. PAUSD argues that because the dispute regarding C.C.'s continued attendance at Jordan Middle School was settled, the Chadams' current claims are barred by res judicata.
The doctrine of res judicata, or claim preclusion, prohibits the re-litigation of any claims that were raised or could have been raised in a prior action.
The Chadams allege that, prior to a state court hearing on the merits, the "parties settled the matter and C.C. has continued to attend Jordan Middle School." 2AC ¶ 38. The Chadams' counsel has filed a Request For Judicial Notice (RFJN) which states that on March 27, 2014, he filed a request to have the state court action dismissed without prejudice. RFJN, Ex. A. There is no indication that the Superior Court has granted the request.
In any case, the Chadams allege that the state court suit has not been tried on its merits, and PAUSD does not dispute that allegation. PAUSD has failed to show that there has been a final judgment in the state court suit, or a dismissal with prejudice. As a result, PAUSD has not shown that res judicata applies. PAUSD does not move to dismiss because it obtained a release in the settlement of the state court case. Accordingly, the Court declines to dismiss the complaint on the basis of res judicata or a release of claims. However, the case must be dismissed for other reasons.
The Chadams allege that PAUSD violated Title II of the ADA by depriving C.C. of certain alleged rights on the basis of a perceived disability. PAUSD argues that this cause of action fails for several reasons. As a threshold matter, it argues that the Chadams' claim is barred by Eleventh Amendment immunity. Second, it argues that C.C. is not disabled or perceived as disabled under the ADA, nor was he denied the benefit of a public program or deprived of any other rights. Third, it argues that its alleged conduct is expressly permitted by law, and hence "non-actionable." Fourth, it argues that because the Chadams do not allege intent to discriminate on the basis of a disability or perceived disability, they are not entitled to seek monetary damages, which is all they seek in the complaint. Lastly, it argues that Plaintiffs James Chadam, Jennifer Chadam and A.C. do not have standing to bring individual claims.
PAUSD argues that it is shielded from ADA Title II liability by the Eleventh Amendment. In the January 29, 2014 Order Granting Defendant's Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint, this Court suggested that in order to bring a proper Title II claim that is not barred by PAUSD's Eleventh Amendment immunity, the Chadams would have to allege that PAUSD's Title II violation deprived C.C. of a fundamental right.
Order Grant. Mot. Dismiss 10:7-11:2.
While the Chadams' privacy claim arguably implicates a fundamental right, the Chadams have not alleged any authority for the proposition that school choice or freedom from being stigmatized is a fundamental right. However, because this cause of action fails for other reasons as described below, the Court need not decide whether PAUSD would enjoy Eleventh Amendment immunity for their ADA Title II claims in this case.
Title II applies to all "public entities," including schools. 42 U.S.C. § 12131;
PAUSD argues that, even if the Chadams' Title II claim did not fail due to Eleventh Amendment immunity, it fails because they do not state facts sufficient to support a cause of action for a violation of the ADA. Specifically, it argues that C.C. is neither disabled nor perceived as having a disability, nor was he denied the benefit of a public program. It also argues that the Chadams have failed to allege "that defendant took improper action by reason of the plaintiff's disability." Docket No. 43 at 18. Lastly, it argues that the Chadams have failed to allege the discriminatory intent required to state a claim for monetary damages.
To be considered disabled under Title II, a plaintiff must show: (1) a physical or mental impairment
While the Ninth Circuit has not specifically designated cystic fibrosis as a disability under the ADA, other district courts have.
However, the Chadams allege that PAUSD knew C.C. did not actually have cystic fibrosis but only had a genetic marker for the disease. The question is whether PAUSD treated C.C. as if he had a physical impairment.
The Chadams allege that, as a result of PAUSD's mistaken belief about the danger C.C. posed to other students, PAUSD disclosed his personal information to another family, attempted to transfer C.C. out of his assigned middle school and subjected him to ridicule and humiliation. The Chadams have alleged sufficient facts to support the inference that PAUSD acted on the basis of a mistaken belief about C.C.'s status as a genetic carrier for CF and, hence, regarded him as disabled.
In determining what constitutes a service, program or activity, the Ninth Circuit "construe[s] `the ADA's broad language as bringing within its scope anything a public entity does.'"
The Chadams allege that, because it regarded C.C. as a person with a disability, PAUSD deprived him of "fundamental and substantial rights under the law" including the right to attend the school closest to his home, to have his medical information remain confidential, and not to be subjected to ridicule and harassment. As stated above, while his privacy claim arguably implicates a fundamental right, the Chadams do not provide authority for the proposition that any of the rights or benefits denied to C.C., including privacy, are either "fundamental" or "substantial." They may, however, state facts sufficient to support the inference that attendance at the school closest to one's home, the confidentiality of medical information, or freedom from ridicule and embarrassment are services, programs or activities encompassed under the definition stated in
PAUSD argues that none of the rights deprivations the Chadams cite in their complaint rises to the level of a denial of a service, program or activity because its conduct is expressly permitted by statute.
Title II does
28 C.F.R. § 35.139. Further, a public entity "may impose legitimate safety requirements necessary for the safe operation of its services, programs, or activities. However, the public entity must ensure that its safety requirements are based on actual risks, not on mere speculation, stereotypes, or generalizations about individuals with disabilities."
The Ninth Circuit has held that "it is clear that ultimately the entity asserting a `direct threat' as a basis for excluding an individual bears a heavy burden of demonstrating that the individual poses a significant risk to the health and safety of others."
The Chadams have not alleged any facts to support the inference that PAUSD did not act in an effort to preserve the safe operation of the school. Nor have they alleged any facts to support the inference that PAUSD's brief exclusion of C.C. from the school closest to his home, in light of the risk involved, was not reasonable given the information PAUSD had. In fact, they allege that PAUSD told them it was basing its decision on medical evidence provided both by Dr. Milla and a "top Stanford doctor." They state that PAUSD made its decisions on the basis of its belief that C.C.'s presence in the school was a serious threat to other students. Furthermore, C.C. was allowed, within two weeks, to return to the school closest to his home, indicating that PAUSD had changed its policy with regard to C.C.
In short, the Chadams admit that PAUSD believed the risk to other children was real and based on medical evidence. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS PAUSD's motion to dismiss the Chadams' Title II cause of action.
PAUSD argues that, even if the Chadams' Title II cause of action did not fail for the reasons stated above, its compliance with both the California Education Code and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) shields it from ADA liability. PAUSD argues that California Education Code section 49451 obliges it to "exclude students for which the school has good reason to believe have an infectious disease." Docket No. 43 at 16-17. If that is true, then C.C. likely did not have a right to attend a school with another child with cystic fibrosis during the time period PAUSD needed to ascertain whether or not C.C. posed a risk to another child. However, because the Court finds that Title II itself provides for a defense based on the safe operations of a public entity's programs, it need not decide whether adherence to the California Education Code is a defense to an ADA Title II claim.
PAUSD also argues that, under FERPA and the California Education Code, it is allowed to disclose student information without consent "to protect the health/safety of students." Docket No. 43 at 17. It argues that when FERPA and the California Education Code expressly allow for the "disclosure of information to protect the health and safety of students," the information disclosed is "rendered not confidential." Docket No. 49 at 6.
Because this cause of action must be dismissed for other reasons, the Court need not decide whether compliance with FERPA and the Education Code is a defense to the Chadams' Title II claim.
Lastly, PAUSD argues that, even if the Chadams' Title II cause of action did not fail for the reasons discussed above, their claims, which are for money damages, would fail because they have not alleged the requisite intent.
In
While the Chadams accuse PAUSD of conduct that was "intended to cause harm and injury to plaintiffs," they do not allege any facts to support that accusation. Even if this claim were not dismissed for other reasons, it would not support a request for monetary damages. The Chadams admit that PAUSD's actions resulted from its belief that student safety was at risk. Money damages are the only relief the Chadams seek; they did not seek injunctive relief, which would be moot in any event, because C.C. is currently attending the school closest to his home.
In its previous order, the Court stated:
Order Granting Mot. Dismiss 16:26-17:15. (citations omitted).
In their 2AC, the Chadams and A.C. have not alleged any additional facts to support their individual claims. Accordingly, these individual claims must fail.
The Chadams have not alleged facts sufficient to support their claim for a violation of Title II of the ADA. Specifically, they have not alleged facts sufficient to support the accusation that PAUSD excluded C.C. from, or denied him access to, any service, program or activity because it regarded him as disabled, rather than because it believed, based on medical evidence, that his condition imposed a health risk to other students. Nor do they allege facts sufficient to support the accusation that PAUSD acted with the intent to discriminate or with the deliberate indifference that would entitle them to monetary damages. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS PAUSD's motion to dismiss this cause of action. Because the Chadams have already been granted an opportunity to amend this claim, it is now dismissed with prejudice.
The Chadams' cause of action for a violation of the Rehabilitation Act (§ 504) is based on the same allegations as their ADA Title II cause of action. PAUSD raises the same arguments in its motion to dismiss this cause of action.
As it argued with regard to the ADA cause of action, PAUSD argues that, pursuant to the Eleventh Amendment, it is immune from causes of actions brought under § 504. As explained in the Court's previous order, however,
Order Granting Mot. Dismiss 12:3-14 (citations omitted). Accordingly, the Court declines to dismiss this cause of action on the basis of Eleventh Amendment immunity.
PAUSD argues that even if the Chadams' § 504 claim does not fail due to Eleventh Amendment immunity, it fails because they do not state facts sufficient to support a cause of action for a violation of § 504. PAUSD relies on the same arguments presented in opposition to the Chadams' Title II claim.
The only difference between an ADA Title II cause of action and a cause of action pursuant to § 504 is that a plaintiff must allege that the benefits program receives federal financial assistance.
The Chadams allege that, through the unauthorized disclosure of C.C.'s medical information, PAUSD violated "C.C.'s constitutional right to privacy conferred upon him by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States." 2AC ¶ 50.
"Technically, the First Amendment only restricts actions by the federal government. First Amendment rights against state actors derive from the Fourteenth Amendment and must be brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983."
In its previous order, the Court stated, "As a California school district, PAUSD is a state agency equivalent to the state itself. PAUSD therefore is not a `person' within the meaning of § 1983, and so Plaintiffs' [claim for a First Amendment violation of privacy] is barred." Order Granting Mot. Dismiss 7:23-26. The Court went on to note that the Chadams could bring a cause of action against individual state officials in their personal capacity.
Accordingly, the Court GRANTS PAUSD's motion to dismiss this cause of action. Because the Chadams have already been granted an opportunity to amend this claim, it is now dismissed with prejudice.
The Chadams allege that PAUSD "owed [them] a duty of care . . . not to allow the unlawful and improper disclosure of personal, confidential, private medical information." 2AC ¶ 53. They allege that PAUSD breached its duty of care by "allowing one of its teachers to disclose" C.C.'s medical information to Mr. and Mrs. X.
"Under the Tort Claims Act, a plaintiff may not maintain an action for money or damages against a public entity unless first a written claim has been presented to the public entity and rejected in whole or in part. Failure to timely present a claim for money or damages to a public entity bars a plaintiff from filing a lawsuit against that entity. Before a cause of action may be stated, a plaintiff must allege either compliance with this procedure or circumstances excusing compliance."
Plaintiffs allege that they substantially complied with the TCA through the "pleadings, allegations, documents, declarations and exhibits filed in the now dismissed state court injunctive relief action." Docket No. 47 at 18. However, the TCA requires a "written claim [to be] presented to the public entity and rejected in whole or in part." The Chadams do not allege that they submitted a written claim for money damages to PAUSD, nor do they allege that the claim was rejected, either in whole or in part. They have not complied with the Tort Claims Act because they did not give to PAUSD, prior to filing this lawsuit, written notice of their allegations, causes of action, and claim for damages. Without such notice, they are barred from bringing this state law cause of action against PAUSD.
Accordingly, the Court GRANTS PAUSD's motion to dismiss this cause of action for failure to comply with the Tort Claims Act. The dismissal is without prejudice to Plaintiffs re-filing the claim in state court if they can remedy this deficiency. Because all federal claims are dismissed, this Court will not retain supplemental jurisdiction over the state claim.
Notwithstanding the Tort Claims Act issue, PAUSD argues that the Chadams' negligence claim also fails because they do not state a statutory basis for the claim.
California Government Code section 815.2 provides:
Furthermore, "[e]xcept as otherwise provided by statute, a public employee is not liable for an injury resulting from his act or omission where the act or omission was the result of the exercise of the discretion vested in him, whether or not such discretion be abused." Cal. Gov't Code § 820.2. "Nevertheless, [t]he fact that a [public] employee normally engages in discretionary activity is irrelevant if, in a given case, the employee did not [actually] render a considered decision."
Therefore, to bring an action for negligence against PAUSD, the Chadams would need to allege that the teacher who disclosed C.C.'s medical information without consent is also liable personally. If they cannot do so, then they must allege a statutory exception by which PAUSD can be found liable for actions for which the employee is immune. The Chadams can allege that the teacher is personally liable only by claiming that the teacher's conduct was not the result of the discretion vested in his or her authority.
The Chadams have not made any allegations to support any of these theories upon which a negligence claim against PAUSD could rest. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS PAUSD's motion to dismiss the claim for this reason as well. As discussed above, this claim is dismissed without prejudice to filing in state court if its deficiencies can be remedied.
For the reasons set forth above, the Court GRANTS PAUSD's motion to dismiss (Docket No. 43). The Chadams' federal claims are dismissed with prejudice; their state claims are dismissed without prejudice to re-filing in state court.
