STEVEN E. RAU, Magistrate Judge.
The above-captioned case comes before the undersigned on Defendants Lucinda Jesson, Nancy Johnston, Kevin Moser, Steve Sajdak, Joanne Christenson, Brian Erickson, and Lisa Kuklis's (collectively "Defendants") Motion to Dismiss [Doc. No. 55], and a Pro Se Motion for Leave to File Amicus Curiae on Behalf of Plaintiff ("Motion for Amicus Curiae") [Doc. No. 61] filed by Kenneth Steven Daywitt ("Daywitt"), on behalf of Plaintiff Merel Evans Bishop ("Bishop"). This matter was referred for the resolution of pretrial matters pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B)-(C) and District of Minnesota Local Rule 72.1. For the reasons stated below, the Court recommends that Defendants' Motion to Dismiss be granted in part and denied in part, and that the Motion for Amicus Curiae be denied.
Bishop was committed to the Minnesota Sex Offender Program ("MSOP") in 2001. (Second Am. Compl.) [Doc. No. 54 ¶¶ 2, 31]. Currently Bishop is at the MSOP facility in Moose Lake, Minnesota (the "Moose Lake facility"), which is operated by the Department of Human Services ("DHS"). (Id. ¶ 2). Lucinda Jesson ("Jesson") was the Commissioner of DHS.
Bishop filed his original Complaint on June 12, 2014. (Compl.) [Doc. No. 1]. Defendants filed a motion to stay, which this Court denied. (Order Dated Dec. 11, 2014) [Doc. No. 30]. Bishop subsequently amended his complaint on two occasions, and Defendants now move to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint. See (Order Dated Dec. 31, 2014) [Doc. No. 33]; (First Am. Compl.) [Doc. No. 35]; (Report & Recommendation Dated July 17, 2015) [Doc. No. 52]; (Order Dated Aug. 12, 2015) [Doc. No. 53]; (Second Am. Compl.); (Mot. to Dismiss).
Bishop is "an observant Jewish patient who attempts to adhere to the Orthodox Jewish school of thought" and who believes in eating kosher meals. (Second Am. Compl. ¶ 30). Bishop alleges that although kosher food service has been implemented at the Moose Lake facility, there have been "many issues with the quantity/quality of the food." (Id. ¶ 33). Bishop alleges that the food has been "inedible," spoiled or expired, and "foul smell[ing]." (Id. ¶¶ 27, 33-35, 66). In addition, Bishop alleges that Defendants have "put[] non-kosher items such as cream puffs which contained lard" in his meals, have "mix[ed] meat and dairy products together," and have served eggs, vegetables, cupcakes, and other foods without a proper kosher label. (Id. ¶ 36). Bishop asserts that "[e]very time . . . a non-kosher item is placed in a food container it invalidates the kosherness" of what was previously kosher food, unless the kosher food is a "hot meal" that is individually sealed. (Id.).
With respect to his allegation that kosher food offerings were spoiled, Bishop alleges that Defendants "Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis" stated that "the vendor told them that the food could be stored in the freezer for up to two (2) years" and would "still be safe to eat." (Id. ¶ 26). Bishop alleges this was "not true," as he contacted "the vendor of the products in question and was told that nothing over 6 months would be appropriate for storing in a freezer." (Id.). He further alleges that he has "submitted numerous requests up the chain of communication regarding the poor quality of food and lack of quantity," and submitted a grievance regarding these matters. (Id. ¶ 39). Bishop's grievance was denied and he was told that his request was "not appropriate." (Id.).
Bishop alleges that the poor quality and low quantity of kosher food caused "everyone," including Bishop, to quit eating the kosher meals. (Id. ¶ 44). Bishop resumed eating kosher meals, however, "after Passover . . . in 2014." (Id.). The "kosher food product" at MSOP has "been changed" three times "since its inception at the MSOP." (Id. ¶ 35). Bishop also asserts that another MSOP client previously "was the `go to' person regarding the kosher food diet" and attempted to find "a quality product that the MSOP could serve," but that these efforts were met with assertions that those products were not cost effective or were unavailable because of "a contract issue." (Id. ¶ 25). This other MSOP client stopped eating kosher food due to medical issues. (Id.).
Bishop further alleges that the kosher meals offered at the Moose Lake facility do not satisfy "the standards of the American Dietetic Association for adult males," and that the caloric values of kosher meals differ considerably from those of the non-kosher meals. (Id. ¶ 37). Specifically, those eating non-kosher meals "receive anywhere between 2600-3000 calories per day" while Bishop alleges that at a "maximum" he receives "1200-1600 calories" per day. (Id.). Bishop alleges that the "National Research Council states that an adult male who is over 50 and moderately active should receive a minimum of 2200-2400 calories to maintain a healthy diet"—a caloric intake much greater than Bishop alleges he receives when adhering to a kosher diet.
Bishop, who is diabetic, has suffered "extremely low blood sugar, due to . . . lack of proper caloric intake" since starting back on kosher meals in 2014 and has lost "excessive weight." (Id. ¶¶ 24, 32). Bishop's low blood sugar episodes have resulted in "Health Services being called to bring glucose packs in the middle of the night, to assist in bringing [Bishop's] blood sugar back to a normal range." (Id. ¶ 32); see also (id. ¶ 40) (noting "many incidents of low blood sugar" requiring use of "glucose packets" or food that "is not kosher due to the mixing of meat and dairy"). Bishop asserts that he has lost approximately eighty-five pounds since he began eating kosher meals, in contrast to other clients within the MSOP who "eat the regular meal [and] maintain their weight, without problems." (Id. ¶ 37). He further asserts that he has had his insulin reduced on many occasions due to his insufficient diet and states that he "no longer receives insulin due to weight loss and low food intake." (Id. ¶ 41). He alleges that he has submitted "requests" and a grievance "regarding his issues with low blood sugar and rapid weight loss due to the poor quality of food which was either inedible," non-kosher, or was "low in caloric intake." (Id. ¶ 27). "Defendants responded to these request[s] with vague answers or without answering the question at all." (Id.). Bishop alleges that he has been "seen by MSOP's dietician"—Kuklis—"whom he has complained to about the food quality, and the lack of quantity." (Id. ¶ 41).
Bishop also alleges that he submitted "requests and a grievance" to Defendants to permit a "volunteer rabbi" to "provide training to Defendants' [sic] regarding the proper handling of kosher food." (Id. ¶ 43). "Defendants denied the requests . . ., stating that it violates policy to allow volunteers into the kitchen," though Bishop has been unable to find the applicable policy. (Id.). Bishop believes Defendants will not allow a volunteer rabbi to come in to the Moose Lake facility because of "the many violations that may be discovered in the kitchen." (Id.). Bishop later alleges, however, that Defendants ultimately agreed "to allow for said training," though they "will not allow the rabbi in the facility kitchen as is necessary" for the inspection of Defendants' practices, kitchen, and food. (Id. ¶ 93).
In addition to the allegations discussed above, Bishop makes several additional allegations related to each Defendant. With respect to all Defendants, Bishop generally alleges that Defendants, in both their individual and official capacities, "implemented, retained, and carried out a policy and/or de facto standing practice of serving inedible, improper and inadequate kosher meals and non-kosher meals as kosher meals, by the inclusion of non-kosher foods and provision[] or service in a non-kosher manner." (Id. ¶¶ 10-16). He also alleges that "violations" were "brought to their attention and there was no action taken to correct the problem." (Id. ¶ 18).
Bishop also asserts that Jesson "is responsible in her individual and official capacity to assure that the MSOP is meeting constitutional standards and Minnesota law." (Id. ¶ 10).
With regard to Johnston, Bishop alleges that as the Executive Director of the MSOP, Johnston is responsible for ensuring that MSOP clients "within her care" are receiving "proper food as described in Minnesota Rule[] 4665.2900." (Id. ¶ 11).
As to Moser, Bishop states that he "continued to allow the service of" inadequate kosher food "even after [Bishop] brought to the attention of [Moser] . . . the inadequate meals, and the poor quality of the food." (Id. ¶ 12).
With regard to Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis, Bishop alleges that these Defendants have "no official training in the food service industry, specifically related to Kosher food handling" and that even after he "brought to [their] attention . . . the poor quality, the possibility of freezer burn or being spoiled, and the deficient caloric intake nothing was improved." (Id. ¶¶ 13-16). As to Kuklis, Bishop states that as "the Registered Dietician at the MSOP she is in charge of planning meals, making sure that the meals comport with the standards set . . . by the American Dietetic Association and assuring that [Bishop] receives adequately nutritional meals." (Id. ¶ 16).
Based on the above facts, Bishop alleges four counts against Defendants. (Id. ¶¶ 50-93). Count I refers to the First Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act ("RLUIPA"), and article 1, section 16 of the Minnesota Constitution. (Id. ¶¶ 51-56). Count I refers to the previous allegations in the Second Amended Complaint and alleges that Defendants were "each aware of the policies and/or de facto practices that were implemented at MSOP the purpose of which was to punish [Bishop] rather than to treat him and yet they each did nothing to change these policies and practices or to prevent this conduct from occurring and actively participated in such conduct." (Id. ¶ 57).
Count II refers to the First Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment, RLUIPA, and article 1, sections 2 and 16 of the Minnesota Constitution. (Id. ¶¶ 59-64, 70). In Count II, Bishop alleges that "[b]ased on the policy and procedures created and implemented by Defendants," Bishop has been subject to "limitations that impose upon" his religious obligation to eat kosher food, including limitations posed by nutritionally inadequate kosher food, expired kosher food, and once-kosher food that has been tainted by non-kosher food, as well as the resulting "risk for low blood sugar or poisoning which could be detrimental to [his] health." (Id. ¶¶ 65-66). Similar to other allegations in the complaint, Bishop alleges that Defendants "were each aware of the kosher food that was implemented . . . at the [Moose Lake] facility and continued to do nothing about it to prevent this product from being served nor stopped this from continuing and actively participated in such conduct." (Id. ¶ 69).
Count III refers to the First Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment, article 1, section 5 of the Minnesota Constitution, and Minnesota Rule 4665.3000; repeats the allegations in paragraphs 65-66 of Count II; and states that because Bishop is not being provided "proper caloric intake" his health has suffered, resulting in "inhumane treatment." (Id. ¶¶ 74-80, 82). Bishop again alleges in Count III that Defendants "were each aware of the kosher food that was implemented . . . at the [Moose Lake] facility and continued to do nothing about it to prevent this conduct from continuing and actively participated in such conduct," adding that Defendants were "informed on numerous occasions that . . . bologna was . . . expired." (Id. ¶ 81).
Finally, Count IV refers to the First Amendment and RLUIPA. (Id. ¶¶ 86, 90). Bishop recounts his request that a volunteer rabbi be permitted to train staff regarding proper kosher food handling and recounts Defendants' initial denial of this request and later agreement to allow for staff training regarding kosher food handling, though not in the kitchen at the Moose Lake facility. (Id. ¶¶ 87, 93). He further alleges that Defendants have an "affirmative duty to assure that their employees are properly trained in the field [in] which they are working in" and suggests that they have failed in this duty in light of the "numerous violations of kosher laws which [Bishop] has brought to their attention, yet Defendants choose to act in the same manner." (Id. ¶ 88). Bishop alleges that Defendants "implemented policies at the facility to not allow for volunteers to provide proper training regarding kosher food handling and continued to do nothing to prevent this conduct from continuing" and states that "[t]hese policies . . . are not related to a legitimate institutional or therapeutic interest." (Id. ¶¶ 89, 91). Bishop further alleges in Count IV that Moser, Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis "actively participated in such conduct even after they were informed of the volunteer rabbis' [sic] willingness to assist in providing proper training." (Id. ¶ 92). Based on the above counts, Bishop seeks various forms of relief, including declaratory relief, prospective injunctive relief, and damages. (Id. ¶¶ 19, 20, pp. 26-27).
As described above, the counts in the Second Amended Complaint are somewhat unclear and appear to overlap. For instance, while Count I refers to policies or practices implemented at the MSOP for the purposes of punishing Bishop rather than treating him, the Second Amended Complaint alleges no policies or practices beyond those related to the service of kosher food and kosher-food-related training. See generally (id.). In addition, Counts I, II, and III all appear to be based on deficiencies in and the effects of the inadequacies in the kosher food service provided at the Moose Lake facility and all assert claims under the First Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment, RLUIPA, and various state laws, or some combination of these sources of law. See (id. ¶¶ 50-83). Count IV, however, is focused exclusively on the denial of Bishop's request to have a volunteer rabbi come to the Moose Lake facility kitchen to train staff regarding proper kosher food handling. (Id. ¶¶ 84-93).
Considering all of the above and in light of the allegations in the Second Amended Complaint, the Court understands Bishop's Second Amended Complaint to assert the following claims: (1) a First Amendment claim based on the inadequacies in the kosher food service provided at the Moose Lake facility; (2) due process claims based the inadequacies in the kosher food service provided at the Moose Lake facility; (3) a RLUIPA claim based on the inadequacies in the kosher food service provided at the Moose Lake facility; (4) claims under various provisions of the Minnesota Constitution and Minnesota Rule 4665.3000 based on the inadequacies in the kosher food service provided at the Moose Lake facility; (5) a First Amendment claim based on the denial of Bishop's request to allow a volunteer rabbi into the Moose Lake facility kitchen to train staff regarding proper kosher food handling; and (6) a RLUIPA claim based on the denial of Bishop's request to allow a volunteer rabbi into the Moose Lake facility kitchen to train staff regarding proper kosher food handling.
Defendants move to dismiss Bishop's Second Amended Complaint under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). (Mem. of Law in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss Second Am. Compl., "Defs.' Mem. in Supp.") [Doc. No. 56 at 1]. To state a cause of action that will survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, a complaint must allege a set of facts, which, if proven true, would entitle the plaintiff to legal redress against the named defendants under an established legal theory. Martin v. Aubuchon, 623 F.2d 1282, 1286 (8th Cir. 1980). In short, "the complaint must allege facts, which if true, state a claim as a matter of law." Id. When deciding a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, a court generally may not consider materials outside the pleadings and assumes all facts alleged in the complaint are true, construing all reasonable inferences from those facts in the light most favorable to the complainant. Noble Sys. Corp. v. Alorica Cent., LLC, 543 F.3d 978, 982 (8th Cir. 2008); Morton v. Becker, 793 F.2d 185, 187 (8th Cir. 1986). In doing so, however, a court need not accept as true wholly conclusory allegations, Hanten v. Sch. Dist. of Riverview Gardens, 183 F.3d 799, 805 (8th Cir. 1999), or legal conclusions drawn by the pleader from the facts alleged. Westcott v. City of Omaha, 901 F.2d 1486, 1488 (8th Cir. 1990).
To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain "enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face." Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). Although a complaint need not contain "detailed factual allegations," it must contain facts with enough specificity "to raise a right to relief above the speculative level." Id. at 555. "[I]n fulfilling its duty to liberally construe a civil-rights pleading," a court is not required to "divine the litigant's intent and create claims that are not clearly raised," nor is the court required to "read or construct an argument into a civil-rights pleading." Bediako v. Stein Mart, Inc., 354 F.3d 835, 840 (8th Cir. 2004). Likewise, while pro se complaints "are to be held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers, a district court should not assume the role of advocate for the pro se litigant, nor may a district court rewrite a [complaint] to include claims that were never presented." Semler v. Ludeman, No. 09-cv-0732 (ADM/SRN), 2010 WL 145275, at *5 (D. Minn. Jan. 8, 2010) (Montgomery, J. adopting report and recommendation of Nelson, Mag. J.) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).
Defendants also cite Federal Rule 12(b)(1) as a basis for their Motion to Dismiss. (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 1). Rule 12(b)(1) states that a party may move to dismiss a claim for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Defendants' arguments regarding the applicability of Eleventh Amendment immunity implicates the Court's subject matter jurisdiction over certain claims and is a challenge to the Second Amended Complaint based on the face of the complaint, rather than the truthfulness of any allegations therein. See (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 28-29). "In a facial challenge to jurisdiction, such as the one before this Court, review is restricted to the pleadings and affords the non-moving party the same protections that it would receive under a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss." Beaulieu v. Ludeman, No. 07-cv-1535 (JMR/JSM), 2008 WL 2498241, at *5 (D. Minn. June 18, 2008) (Rosenbaum, C.J., adopting report and recommendation of Mayeron, Mag. J.).
Defendants move, on various grounds, for dismissal with prejudice of all claims in the Second Amended Complaint. (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 31). The Court begins by addressing several broader issues that bear on Bishop's ability to proceed against Defendants, and then addresses the substance of Bishop's claims, as well as his ability to proceed against particular Defendants with respect to those claims.
Based on the Eleventh Amendment, Defendants seek dismissal of any claims for damages brought against them in their official capacities, as the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over such claims. (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 28-29). It is not entirely clear from Bishop's complaint that he seeks damages against Defendants in their official capacities, though his response in opposition to the Motion to Dismiss suggests that he does. See (Second Am. Compl. ¶ 5) (stating that Bishop "seeks compensatory and actual or nominal damages based on the Defendants' actions in their individual capacity to violate [Bishop's] constitutional, statutory, and common law rights"), but see (id. at p. 26) (requesting damages and "that judgment be entered against Defendants"); see also (Bishop's Mem. in Opp'n at 16-17) ("Defendants Jesson, Johnston, and Moser all qualify to be held liable for monetary damages in their official capacity.").
To the extent Bishop seeks monetary damages against any Defendant in their official capacity, the Court recommends that those claims be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
Beaulieu, 2008 WL 2498241, at *7 (citation omitted) (quoting Will v. Michigan Dep't of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989)). Defendants are state officials, and to the extent Bishop is suing Defendants in their official capacity, the real party in interest is the state of Minnesota. See id.; see also (Second Am. Compl. ¶¶ 10-16). "Congress did not abrogate the states' immunity" when it enacted § 1983. Mashak v. Minnesota, No. 11-cv-473 (JRT/JSM), 2012 WL 928225, at *10 (D. Minn. Jan. 25, 2012) (Mayeron, Mag. J.) report and recommendation adopted by 2012 WL 928251 (Mar. 19, 2012). "Minnesota has not waived its immunity from § 1983 claims," nor has Minnesota consented to this suit. See id. Thus, the Eleventh Amendment bars any claim for damages against Defendants in their official capacities, and the Court recommends dismissal of those claims with prejudice. Daniels v. Jesson, No. 13-cv-736 (JNE/SER), 2014 WL 3629874, at *4 (D. Minn. July 22, 2014) (Ericksen, J., adopting report and recommendation of Rau, Mag. J.) ("The Eleventh Amendment protects the State, and the arms of the State, from liability for monetary damages in a Section 1983 action." (internal quotation marks omitted)).
Bishop appears to assert claims under article 1, sections 2, 5, and 16 of the Minnesota Constitution and Minnesota Rule 4665.3000. See, e.g., (Second Am. Compl. ¶¶ 54, 62, 70, 82). Defendants argue that these state law claims must be dismissed for several reasons. (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 23-27).
As an initial matter, the Court concludes that any state law claim against Defendants in their official capacities must be dismissed. As noted above, the Eleventh Amendment bars a suit in federal court for damages brought against a state official in his or her official capacity. Beaulieu, 2008 WL 2498241, at *7. Although "the Supreme Court has long recognized an exception to Eleventh Amendment immunity permitting suits in federal court against state officials alleged to have violated
Second, to the extent Bishop asserts a claim based on Minnesota Rule 4665.3000, the Court recommends that this claim be dismissed because this rule does not provide a private right of action. "In Minnesota, a rule adopted by an administrative agency has the force of law. Minn. Stat. § 14.38. A Minnesota law, however, does not give rise to a civil cause of action unless the language of the [law] is explicit or it can be determined by clear implication." Nelson v. Williams, Civil Action No. 13-181 (PJS/LIB), 2014 WL 5464159, at *4 (D. Minn. Oct. 27, 2014) (Schiltz, J., adopting report and recommendation of Brisbois, Mag. J.) (alteration in original) (internal quotation marks omitted). To determine "whether a Minnesota law implicitly authorizes a private cause of action, Minnesota courts `consider three factors: (1) whether the [plaintiffs] belong to a special class of persons for whose benefit the statute was enacted, (2) whether the legislature indicated an intent to create or deny a private remedy, and (3) whether inferring a private remedy would be consistent with the underlying purpose of the legislation.'" Id. at *5 (alteration in original) (quoting All. for Metro. Stability v. Metro. Council, 671 N.W.2d 905, 916 (Minn. Ct. App. 2003)).
Minnesota Rule 4665.3000 articulates dietary regulations for residential facilities licensed by DHS and the Minnesota Department of Health. Minn. R. 4665.0200, subpt. 1, 4665.3000. The rule states that at such a facility, the "food and nutritional needs of residents shall be met in accordance with their needs and shall meet the dietary allowances, as stated in the Recommended Dietary Allowances, National Academy of Sciences, seventh edition, 1968" and further provides "specified servings per day" in five food groups that "will satisfy this requirement." Minn. R. 4665.3000. Nothing in the rule explicitly provides for a private cause of action and considering the relevant factors, the Court cannot conclude that a private right of action is clearly implied. Minnesota Rule 4665.3000 is part of a regulatory system setting forth minimum standards for the "operation of supervised living facilities insofar as they relate to . . . the health, treatment, comfort, safety, and well-being of the persons accommodated for care," and Bishop therefore arguably belongs to the class of persons for whose benefit the rules were promulgated.
However, rather than revealing an intent to create a private remedy for residents of the facilities or suggesting that inferring such a private remedy would be consistent with the underlying purpose of the regulation, the Court's review of the regulations demonstrates that Minnesota Rule 4665.3000 is part of a regulatory system that addresses licensure requirements for supervised facilities. See, e.g., Minn. R. 4665.0300 ("A license shall be issued by the commissioner of health to an applicant who satisfactorily meets all requirements contained in these regulations."). Failure to comply with the minimum requirements is addressed by the imposition of monetary fines and increased fines after failure to remedy a previously noticed violation. See Minn. R. 4665.9030 (establishing fine of $350 for violation of Rule 4665.3000), 4665.9100 ("If, upon subsequent reinspection after a fine has been imposed under parts 4665.9000 to 4665.9090, the deficiency has still not been corrected, another fine shall be assessed. This fine shall be double the amount of the previous fine."). In this context, there is no clear implication that a private cause of action was created by Minnesota Rule 4995.3000. Bishop's arguments that Minnesota Rule 4995.3000 clearly requires certain food service/dietary standards are unavailing; what must be clearly implied is not the substantive standards of the regulation but a private right of action based on the failure to comply with those standards. See (Bishop's Mem. in Opp'n at 14-15). For the reasons stated above, no such clear implication is found. Therefore, the Court recommends that any claim based on Minnesota Rule 4995.3000 be dismissed with prejudice.
Finally, the Court must address Bishop's claims against Defendants in their individual capacities based on the Minnesota Constitution. Bishop relies on the following provisions of the Minnesota Constitution: article 1, sections 2, 5, and 16. (Second Am. Compl. ¶¶ 54, 62, 70, 82). Defendants argue that Bishop's claims under the Minnesota Constitution must be dismissed because Minnesota law does not provide a private right of action for violations of the Minnesota Constitution. (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 26). The Court acknowledges that there is authority supporting Defendants' argument. See, e.g., Jihad v. Fabian, Civil No. 09-1604 (SRN/LIB), 2011 WL 1641767, at *3 (D. Minn. May 2, 2011) (Nelson, J.); Fearing v. St. Paul Police Dep't, No. 02-4744 (ADM/JSM), 2005 WL 914733, at *5 (D. Minn. Apr. 20, 2005) (Montgomery, J.). There is also, however, authority to the contrary, particularly as it relates to article 1, section 16.
In Brooks v. Roy, the court noted that "[w]hile defendants claimed that the Minnesota Constitution does not provide for a private remedy, Minnesota case law suggests otherwise as it relates to Article 1, § 16." 881 F.Supp.2d 1034, 1053 n.12 (D. Minn. 2012) (Mayeron, Mag. J., as adopted by Nelson, J.) (citation omitted) (collecting cases); see also Am. Civil Liberties Union of Minn. v. Tarek ibn Ziyad Acad., 788 F.Supp.2d 950, 957 (D. Minn. 2011) (Frank, J.) (concluding that "private parties have the right to assert challenges under the Minnesota Establishment Clause," which is contained within article 1, section 16 of the Minnesota Constitution). Thus, Defendants' blanket assertion that no private right of action exists under the Minnesota Constitution is unpersuasive. See Brooks, 881 F. Supp. 2d at 1053 n.12. In addition, Defendants do not engage in any analysis regarding the specific state constitutional provisions at issue in Bishop's complaint, nor does Defendants' authority address with specificity whether a private right of action exists under the constitutional provisions cited by Bishop. See (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 26); Riehm v. Engelking, Civil No. 06-293 (JRT/RLE), 2007 WL 37799, at *8 (D. Minn. Jan. 4, 2007) (Tunheim, J.); Guite v. Wright, 976 F.Supp. 866, 871 (D. Minn. 1997) (Tunheim, J.). Therefore, the Court denies the Motion to Dismiss to the extent Defendants argue that Bishop's claims under the Minnesota Constitution must be dismissed because they are not actionable. Moreover, because Defendants do not argue for dismissal of these claims on their merits, the Court does not engage in further analysis of Bishop's claims based on the Minnesota Constitution.
Before discussing Bishop's federal claims, the Court notes that Bishop brings his claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which provides that "[e]very person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State . . . subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws," will be "liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress." "To successfully plead a § 1983 civil rights cause of action, . . . a complainant must allege a set of historical facts, which, if proven true, would demonstrate that the named defendant(s) violated the complainant's federal constitutional rights while acting under color of state law." Knutson v. Ludeman, Civil No. 10-357 (PJS/LIB), 2011 WL 821253, at *4 (D. Minn. Jan. 12, 2011) (Brisbois, Mag. J.), report and recommendation adopted as modified, 2011 WL 808189 (Mar. 1, 2011). In addition, "`[l]iability under section 1983 requires a causal link to, and direct responsibility for, the deprivation of rights' protected by the Constitution." Id. (alteration in original) (quoting Madewell v. Roberts, 909 F.2d 1203, 1208 (8th Cir. 1990)). The Court begins by addressing whether Bishop has sufficiently pled a violation of any of his federal constitutional rights, and will then address matters regarding Defendants' involvement in and responsibility for those alleged violations.
"To successfully plead a violation of the First Amendment's freedom of exercise [clause], [Bishop] must plead facts sufficient to demonstrate that Defendants placed a substantial burden on [his] ability to practice [his] religion." Daywitt v. Minnesota, Civ. No. 14-4526 (MJD/LIB), 2015 WL 4094199, at *8 (D. Minn. July 6, 2015) (Brisbois, Mag. J., as adopted by Davis, J.) (internal quotation marks omitted); see also Weir v. Nix, 114 F.3d 817, 820 (8th Cir. 1997) ("As an initial matter, a person claiming that a governmental policy or action violates his right to exercise his religion freely must establish that the action substantially burdens his sincerely held religious belief."). In order to substantially burden the free exercise of religion, a
Id. (alterations in original) (internal quotation marks omitted). Once a person demonstrates that his sincerely held religious beliefs have been substantially burdened, and does so in the context of civil commitment, courts in this district have historically applied a modified version of the multi-factor test announced in Turner v. Safely, 482 U.S. 78, 89-91 (1987). See Daywitt, 2015 WL 4094199, at *8. In doing so, the court "`considers . . . [a] Plaintiff['s] First Amendment claims in light of appropriate therapeutic interests as well as relevant safety and security concerns.'" Id. (quoting Karsjens v. Jesson, 6 F.Supp.3d 916, 937 (D. Minn. 2014) (Frank, J.)).
While Bishop appears to contest the applicability of Turner or a modified Turner test, see (Bishop's Mem. in Opp'n at 7), the Court need not determine the precise standard to apply. Defendants' argument with regard to the merits of Bishop's First Amendment claims is that Bishop has failed to plead any substantial burden on his right to freely exercise his religion, not that, even if Bishop's free exercise rights have been substantially burdened, the alleged burden is permissible under a modified Turner analysis. See (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 12-14). That is, Defendants' argument regarding the merits of Bishop's First Amendment claims rises and falls on the question of whether Bishop has pled sufficient facts to support his assertion that his free exercise rights have been substantially burdened by government action. See (id.); Weir, 114 F.3d at 820.
Defendants contend that Bishop has failed to plead that "his ability to engage in a kosher diet per sincerely held religious beliefs" has been substantially burdened because the facts alleged by Bishop are not "egregious" enough, constituting "de minimus allegations" that are "insufficient to support a constitutional claim."
With regard to inadequacies in the kosher food provided at the Moose Lake facility, Defendants' argument that Bishop has failed to state a claim because he has pled only a "de minimis" burden on his free exercise rights is not persuasive. Defendants characterize Bishop's complaints about kosher food as complaints about "the quality and quantity of his kosher meals." (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 13). This characterization, however, does not fully account for the nature of the allegations in the Second Amended Complaint. As described in detail above, Bishop alleges that although there has been an attempt to implement kosher food service at the Moose Lake facility, the food served is spoiled, inedible, and actually non-kosher due to the manner in which it has been served or prepared. (Second Am. Compl. ¶¶ 27, 33-35, 66). To the extent that kosher food is available, Bishop alleges that it is so nutritionally inadequate that eating the kosher food has resulted in extreme weight loss of eighty-five pounds and episodes of extremely low blood sugar, which have in turn resulted in "Health Services being called to bring glucose packs in the middle of the night, to assist in bringing [Bishop's] blood sugar back to a normal range." (Id. ¶ 32); see also (id. ¶ 40) (noting "many incidents of low blood sugar" requiring use of "glucose packets" or food that "is not kosher due to the mixing of meat and dairy" to restore appropriate blood sugar levels). In addition, Bishop's allegations demonstrate that the above inadequacies regarding kosher food have been occurring since at least sometime in 2014, when Bishop resumed eating kosher food after he and others stopped eating kosher food due to the inadequacies in the kosher food service. See (id. ¶ 44). Assuming these allegations are true and making all reasonable inferences in Bishop's favor, the Court concludes that Bishop has sufficiently pled facts demonstrating a substantial burden on his sincerely held religious belief. See Weir, 114 F.3d at 820.
The Court also notes that the case law Defendants rely on in arguing that Bishop has pled only a de minimis burden on his free exercise rights is distinguishable. For example, Defendants cite Rapier v. Harris, 172 F.3d 999 (7th Cir. 1999), and Smith v. Copeland, 87 F.3d 265 (8th Cir. 1996), in support of their position, but both Rapier and Smith involved a determination of de minimis burden at the summary judgment stage after the development of a factual record, rather than in the context of a motion to dismiss. See (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 13, 15); Rapier, 172 F.3d at 1001; Smith, 87 F.3d at 268. Moreover, for the reasons stated above, Bishop's allegations reflect more than the de minimis burdens found in Rapier and Smith. See Rapier, 172 F.3d at 1006 n.4 ("[T]he unavailability of a non-pork tray for Mr. Rapier at 3 meals out of 810 does not constitute more than a de minimis burden on Mr. Rapier's free exercise of religion."); Smith, 87 F.3d at 268-69 (concluding that plaintiff's exposure to "an overflowed toilet in his cell for four days" was a "de minimis imposition and thus d[id] not implicate constitutional concerns"). Thus, the Court concludes that Bishop has pled a First Amendment claim based on the alleged inadequacies in the kosher food provided at the Moose Lake facility.
With respect to any First Amendment claim arising out of the denial of Bishop's request to allow a volunteer rabbi into the Moose Lake facility kitchen, however, the Court concludes that he has failed to state a claim. As noted above, to state a claim under the First Amendment free exercise clause, Bishop must plead a substantial burden on his ability to practice his religion. Weir, 114 F.3d at 820; Daywitt, 2015 WL 4094199, at *8.
Bishop alleges that he submitted "requests and a grievance" to Defendants to permit a volunteer rabbi to provide training to Defendants regarding proper handling of kosher food, that Defendants denied these requests, and that Defendants have failed to properly train employees regarding proper kosher food handling in light of the "numerous violations of kosher laws which [Bishop] has brought to their attention, yet Defendants choose to act in the same manner." (Second Am. Compl. ¶¶ 43, 88). Bishop also alleges, however, that Defendants ultimately "
Defendants contend that Bishop has failed to state a claim under the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 14-17). The parties address Bishop's claim under the Fourteenth Amendment as a substantive due process claim. (Id.); (Bishop's Mem. in Opp'n at 8-9).
Norris v. Engles, 494 F.3d 634, 637-38 (8th Cir. 2007) (internal quotation marks omitted). This standard imposes a heavy burden on an individual asserting a violation of his substantive due process rights. Hall v. Ramsey County, 801 F.3d 912, 917 (8th Cir. 2015). Conduct that is "`intended to injure [an individual] in some way unjustifiable by any governmental interest is . . . most likely to rise to the conscience-shocking level.'" Id. at 918 (alteration and omission in original) (quoting County of Sacramento v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 849 (1998)). "But when the acts of a government official" constitute "`something more than negligence but less than intentional conduct' the `totality of the facts in a given case' must be assessed to determine whether behavior is conscience shocking." Id. (footnote omitted) (quoting Lewis, 523 U.S. at 849, 850).
Defendants first contend that "[w]hile the denial of kosher meals may qualify as a fundamental right for purposes of a due process claim," Bishop is actually receiving kosher meals and again state that Bishop's "generalized complaints . . . at best allege de minimis harm" that is "insufficient to support a substantive due process claim." (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 15). For the reasons stated above, the Defendants' assertion that Bishop alleges only de minimis harm is unavailing. Beyond their de minimis harm argument, Defendants do not make any other argument regarding Bishop's failure to plead that his fundamental rights have been violated, and as noted, suggest that "denial of kosher meals may qualify as a fundamental right for purposes of a due process claim." (Id.); see also Ross v. Coughlin, 669 F.Supp. 1235, 1241, 1242 (S.D.N.Y. 1987) (stating that "courts have recognized that prison authorities must accommodate the rights of prisoners to receive diets consistent with their religious beliefs" and concluding that plaintiff pled a due process claim where he "did not receive a nutritionally adequate diet for ten weeks of his incarceration" due to denial of kosher meals, the provision of other food that was not properly prepared according to kosher laws, and delays in being placed on kosher meal program). The Court therefore proceeds to Defendants' next argument for dismissal, which is that Bishop's due process claim "must fail because he has failed to allege conduct by Defendants that would shock the conscience or any notion of fairness." (Id. at 15).
While the Court appreciates that the "shocks the conscience" standard imposes a high bar for those seeking to demonstrate a violation of their substantive due process rights, the Court concludes that Bishop has sufficiently pled facts that may demonstrate conscience-shocking behavior.
Assuming these allegations are true and making all reasonable inferences in Bishop's favor, the Court concludes that Bishop has sufficiently pled facts to support a substantive due process claim. The Court makes this determination in light of the fact that while intentionally injurious conduct may be "
As described above, the Court concludes that Bishop has sufficiently pled violations of his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. But "when a plaintiff seeks relief under § 1983, his complaint must set forth specific factual allegations showing what each named defendant allegedly did, or failed to do, while acting under color of state law" to violate his constitutional rights. Knutson, 2011 WL 821253, at *4. That is, a civil rights plaintiff "must plead facts showing each defendant's
When a claim is brought against a public official in his or her official capacity, the suit is "actually a suit against the entity for which the official is an agent." Parrish, 594 F.3d at 997 (internal quotation marks omitted); see Daywitt, 2015 WL 4094199, at *12 (noting that official capacity claims against state officials are only another way of pleading an action against the state itself). "The entity itself—in this case, the State of Minnesota—must be the `moving force' behind the alleged deprivation of rights." Daywitt, 2015 WL 4094199, at *12 (quoting Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 166 (1985)). "To establish liability in an official-capacity suit under section 1983, a plaintiff must show either that the official named in the suit took an action pursuant to an unconstitutional policy or custom, or that he or she possessed final authority over the subject matter at issue and used that authority in an unconstitutional manner." Nix v. Norman, 879 F.3d 429, 433 (8th Cir. 1989) (citation omitted); cf. Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21, 25 (1991) (noting differences between official- and individual-capacity suits and noting that a "plaintiff in a personal-capacity suit need not establish a connection to a governmental `policy or custom'").
Defendants contend that Bishop has failed to "plead the personal involvement of any Defendant" and throughout their memorandum state that Bishop has failed to plead the existence of a policy or custom that violates his constitutional rights. (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 11, 12, 14, 18-23). While Defendants' argument regarding whether Bishop has sufficiently pled the existence of a policy or custom is not well-developed, this appears to be a reference to the standard applicable to Bishop's claims against Defendants in their official capacities. See Hafer, 502 U.S. at 25. The Court first addresses Defendants' arguments regarding personal involvement and then addresses Defendants' argument regarding whether Bishop has sufficiently pled the existence of a policy or custom so as to maintain official-capacity claims against Defendants.
Defendants contend that Bishop has failed to allege sufficient personal involvement of Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis because he has pled only non-specific, "catchall statements" regarding their involvement. (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 23). The Court disagrees.
As previously noted, Sajdak is the Program Manager of the Moose Lake facility's kitchen, Christenson is the Kitchen Supervisor, and Erickson is the Chief Cook. (Second Am. Compl. ¶¶ 13-15). Kuklis is the registered dietician at the Moose Lake facility. (Id. ¶ 16). With regard to each of these Defendants, Bishop alleges that he "brought to [their] attention . . . the poor quality, the possibility of freezer burn or being spoiled and the deficient caloric intake" of the kosher food, but that "nothing was improved." (Id. ¶¶ 13-16). Bishop also alleges that "Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis" informed him that the kosher food vendor "told them that the food could be stored in the freezer for up to two (2) years" and would "still be safe to eat." (Id. ¶ 26). Bishop alleges this was "not true," as he contacted "the vendor of the products in question and was told that nothing over 6 months would be appropriate for storing in a freezer." (Id.). This allegation specifically pleads involvement by Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis in actions reasonably leading to the provision of spoiled kosher food.
Finally, Bishop alleges that these Defendants "were each aware of the kosher food that was implemented . . . at the [Moose Lake] facility and continued to do nothing about it to prevent this product from being served nor stopped this from continuing and actively participated in such conduct." (Id. ¶ 69); see also (id. ¶ 81) (similar allegation). While this final allegation, by itself, would not adequately plead the personal involvement of Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis, the Court must consider the allegations within the complaint as a whole. Having done so, the Court concludes that Bishop sufficiently alleges personal involvement in the denial of Bishop's constitutional rights by sufficiently pleading what Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis, did or "failed to do, while acting under color of state law" to violate his constitutional rights. Knutson, 2011 WL 821253, at *4; cf. William v. Johnston, No. 14-cv-369 (DWF/FLN), 2015 WL 1333991, at *5 (D. Minn. Jan. 28, 2015) (Noel, Mag. J.) report and recommendation adopted by 2015 WL 1334015 (Mar. 15, 2015) (concluding plaintiff sufficiently pled involvement by defendants where he alleged facts demonstrating that those defendants denied his visitation request); see also Lomholt v. Holder, 287 F.3d 683, 684 (8th Cir. 2002) (per curiam) (concluding that plaintiff stated First Amendment free exercise claim against defendant based on allegation that she "refused to help him when he told her" that a different defendant had "warned him to `drop the subject'" of being "put[] . . . in the hole for [engaging in] religious fasting").
Bishop also alleges that he "gave kitchen staff a menu" reflecting only the kosher meals "that did not contain the non-kosher items for their reference," but that they "refused to utilize [his] suggestions." (Id. ¶ 36). Bishop does not specify the "kitchen staff" he refers to, but it is reasonable to infer based on the allegations in the complaint that kitchen staff would include, at a minimum, Erickson, who is the Chief Cook. See (id. ¶ 15). This allegation further supports the conclusion that Bishop has sufficiently pled Erickson's involvement in the alleged constitutional violations. Likewise, the allegations regarding Kuklis's involvement are further supported by Bishop's allegation that he has been "seen by MSOP's dietician"—Kuklis—to "whom he has complained to about the food quality, and the lack of quantity." (Id. ¶¶ 16, 41).
In sum, the Court concludes that Bishop has pled sufficient personal involvement with respect to Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis.
Defendants contend that Bishop has failed to plead sufficient personal involvement regarding supervisory defendants Jesson, Johnston, and Moser.
With respect to Moser, however, the Court disagrees with Defendants. Unlike his allegations with respect to Jesson and Johnston, Bishop specifically alleges that Moser "continued to allow the service of" inadequate kosher food "even after [Bishop] brought to the attention of [Moser] . . . the inadequate meals, and the poor quality of the food." (Second Am. Compl. ¶ 12). This specific allegation with respect to Moser, considered in the context of other allegations in the Second Amended Complaint, are sufficient to state a claim against Moser, both to the extent they establish some direct involvement in the alleged constitutional deprivation and to the extent they demonstrate a failure to supervise.
A supervisory defendant may be subject to liability under § 1983 when the supervisor: (1) received "notice of a pattern of unconstitutional acts committed by subordinates"; (2) "[d]emonstrated deliberate indifference to or tacit authorization of the offensive acts"; and (3) "[f]ailed to take sufficient remedial action." Parrish, 594 F.3d at 1002. In addition, the supervisor's failure must proximately cause the plaintiff's injury. Id. Assuming Bishop's allegations are true and construing all reasonable inferences from those facts in the light most favorable to Bishop, Bishop alleges inadequacies in the kosher food program ranging from significant caloric deficiencies, to spoiled food and food that was made non-kosher through contamination. (Id. ¶¶ 34, 36). Bishop's specific allegation regarding Moser demonstrates that Moser was informed of persistent problems, as Bishop alleges that he informed Moser of "inadequate
In sum, the Court concludes that Bishop has sufficiently pled personal involvement as to Moser, but has failed to do so with respect to Jesson and Johnston.
As noted above, Defendants appear to move to dismiss allegations against Defendants in their official capacities based on their assertion that Bishop has failed to plead a policy or custom leading to the deprivation of his constitutional rights. See, e.g., (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 11, 12). While Bishop does not rely on a particular, formal policy that has led to a constitutional deprivation, a plaintiff may establish "liability . . . through proof that the alleged misconduct was so pervasive among the non-policy making employees" of a government entity that it constitutes "a custom or usage with the force of law."
Id. at *5 (alterations in original) (quoting Ware v. Jackson County, 150 F.3d 873, 880 (8th Cir. 1998)).
As previously described, Bishop alleges longstanding nutritional inadequacies in the kosher food program at the Moose Lake facility, including the provision of spoiled and foulsmelling food. (Second Am. Compl. ¶¶ 25, 33-38, 44, 66) (alleging facts regarding deficiencies in kosher food program and history of those deficiencies). He also alleges that in addition to the inadequacies in the kosher food program that he has experienced, all other patients at the Moose Lake facility who previously ate kosher meals stopped doing so after facing similar issues. (Id. ¶ 44). Bishop further alleges that he has attempted to work with kitchen staff to address the issues, brought the issues to the attention of Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis, which did not result in any improvement, and submitted "requests" and grievances regarding both the inadequacies in the kosher food program and the health issues he suffered as a result of those inadequacies, to which he has received "vague" or insufficient answers, and/or inaction. (Id. ¶¶ 13-16, 27, 36, 39, 41). In addition, as noted above, he specifically alleges that Moser—the Director of the MSOP—"continued to allow the service of" inadequate kosher food "even after [Bishop] brought to the attention of [Moser] . . . the inadequate meals, and the poor quality of the food." (Id. ¶ 12). Bishop also plausibly alleges that it is the above conduct that has led to an unconstitutional denial of a nutritionally adequate religious diet. See (id. ¶¶ 12, 70, 78-79, 82).
Based on the above allegations, the Court concludes that Bishop has sufficiently pled the existence of a custom for purposes of an official capacity claim. The Court further concludes that, for reasons similar to those discussed above, Bishop may pursue official capacity claims against Moser, Sajdak, Christenson, Erickson, and Kuklis. See Norman, 879 F.3d at 433 ("To establish liability in an official-capacity suit under section 1983, a plaintiff must show . . . that the official named in the suit took an action pursuant to an unconstitutional policy or custom. . . .").
In addition to their other arguments for dismissal, Defendants assert that any claim for injunctive relief against an official acting in their official capacity would properly include, "at most" Jesson, Johnston, and Moser, as these are the only parties that would have "the ability to deliver the requested relief or have a connection with enforcement of the alleged wrongs." (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 29 n.5). But this is based only on Defendants' conclusory statement and analysis. The Court declines to recommend dismissal of any official capacity claims on these grounds at this stage of the litigation, and concludes that those matters should be addressed after development of the factual record.
Defendants also contend that they are entitled to qualified immunity with regard to Bishop's claims brought against them in their individual capacities and pursuant to § 1983. (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 29-30). "Qualified immunity shields government officials from liability in their individual capacity so long as the official has not violated `clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.'" Parrish, 594 F.3d at 1001 (quoting Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818 (1982)). "The applicability of the qualified immunity doctrine is a question of law and, when qualified immunity is raised as a defense, courts analyze the application of qualified immunity by first addressing `whether the allegations amount to a constitutional violation, and then, whether that right was clearly established.'" Beaulieu, 2008 WL 2498241, at *27 (quoting Sanders v. City of Minneapolis, 474 F.3d 523, 526 (8th Cir. 2007)).
Defendants contend that because Bishop has not "established infringement of a constitutional right by way of his de minimis complaints about the quality of the kosher meals served by the MSOP" they are entitled to qualified immunity and this Court "need not consider whether any of the alleged rights were clearly established at the time of the purported violation." (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 30). Thus, Defendants' argument for application of qualified immunity relies on their earlier de minimis infringement arguments. See (id.). Because the Court concludes that Bishop has sufficiently pled a violation of his constitutional rights, however, and Defendants do not address whether any of the rights at issue were clearly established, Defendants argument regarding qualified immunity must fail at this time. See Beaulieu, 2008 WL 2498241, at *27 ("[P]laintiffs have alleged numerous constitutional violations that this Court has determined cannot be dismissed for failure to state a claim. Having met the first prong to defeat a claim of qualified immunity, the Court must then determine whether . . . the constitutional right was clearly established . . . . However, that determination is a fact-intensive inquiry and must be undertaken in light of the specific context of the case, not as a broad general proposition." (internal quotation marks omitted)). The Court therefore recommends that Defendants' Motion to Dismiss be denied to the extent Defendants seek dismissal of any individual capacity-claims based on the doctrine of qualified immunity.
Defendants argue that any RLUIPA claim must be dismissed because Bishop has failed to allege facts related to either threshold requirement for the application of RLUIPA. (Defs.' Mem. in Supp. at 17-18). RLUIPA provides:
(a) General rule
42 U.S.C. § 2000cc-1(a). This provision only applies however when "the substantial burden is imposed in a program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance" or when "the substantial burden affects, or removal of that substantial burden would affect, commerce with foreign nations, among the several States, or with Indian tribes." Id. § 2000cc-1(b) (addressing "[s]cope of application" of RLUIPA).
As Defendants note, the Second Amended Complaint alleges no facts relating to these threshold requirements. See generally (Second Am. Compl.). Bishop's "failure to plead such matters renders his claim legally deficient" and his RLUIPA claims must be dismissed. Gutman v. Wriggelsworth, No. 1:09-cv-628, 2010 WL 1814816, at *4 (W.D. Mich. Feb. 4, 2010) (dismissing RLUIPA claim in context of defendants' Rule 12(b)(6) motion because plaintiff did "not allege[] that [d]efendants receive federal funding or that the substantial burden he suffered affected (or would have affected) `commerce with foreign nations, among the several States, or with Indian tribes'" (quoting § 2000cc-1(b)); see also Murray v. Kansas Dep't of Corr., No. 07-3276, 2009 WL 1617664, at *3 (D. Kan. June 9, 2009) ("Plaintiff cannot invoke RLUIPA because he has not alleged that [the Kansas Department of Corrections] received federal funding nor has Plaintiff alleged that he experienced a substantial burden that would affect interstate or foreign commerce. Accordingly, as pleaded in Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, this Court finds that RLUIPA does not apply to this case, and therefore, dismisses Plaintiff's cause of action for failure to state a RLUIPA claim."); Ephraim v. Angelone, 313 F.Supp.2d 569, 575 (E.D. Va. 2003) ("Plaintiff has not alleged sufficient facts to properly invoke the statute. The statute explicitly requires that [the] substantial burden complained of be imposed in a program or activity that receives federal financial assistance or that the alleged burden affect interstate or foreign commerce. Thus, the general rule in subsection (a) does not become applicable until the threshold of subsection (b) has been met." (citation omitted)).
In opposition to Defendants' arguments regarding his RLUIPA claim, Bishop states that the "MSOP education department receives federal funds" and that "the policies . . . affect[] commerce, as [Bishop] is not allowed to order kosher food from wherever he may choose to order it from, and is solely subjected to what . . . MSOP choses [sic] to purchase or what MINCORR provides in the canteen." (Bishop's Mem. in Opp'n at 9-10). Bishop makes these assertions for the first time in his responsive brief, but does not seek leave to amend his Second Amended Complaint, which he has already done several times in this matter. See (id.); (Pl.'s Mot. for Leave to File First Am. Compl.) [Doc. No. 26]; (Mot. to Dismiss Compl.) [Doc. No. 45]; (Pl.'s Mot. for Leave to File a Second Am. Compl.) [Doc. No. 48]. Moreover, Bishop "cannot amend his pleadings through an argument in a brief." Kalu v. Brooklyn Park Police/Federation, No. 15-cv-112 (SRN/JJK), 2015 WL 5719462, at *8 (D. Minn. Sept. 28, 2015) (Nelson, J., adopting report and recommendation of Keyes, Mag. J.) (citing Morgan Distrib. Co., Inc. v. Unidymic Corp., 868 F.3d 992, 995 (8th Cir. 1989)) (rejecting pro se plaintiff's effort to assert in his response in opposition to motion to dismiss that defendant police department "failed to train its officers on proper procedures" because plaintiff "never mention[ed]" such a claim in his amended complaint). Therefore, the Court recommends dismissal of Bishop's RLUIPA claim for failure to state a claim. Because, however, the deficiency in Bishop's RLUIPA claim may ultimately be cured by re-pleading this claim with sufficient factual allegations as to the threshold requirements discussed above, and because the Court cannot conclude at this time that allowing Bishop an opportunity to amend his RLUIPA claim would be futile, the Court recommends granting Bishop leave to amend his Second Amended Complaint
As noted, Daywitt has filed a Motion for Amicus Curiae, in which he seeks leave to file "an Amicus Curiae in" this case. (Mot. for Amicus Curiae at 1). Daywitt states that he "is an interested party in the matter as [Bishop's] spiritual liaison." (Id.). Daywitt contends that "the information that is contained within the attached document is both timely and useful for the court to obtain a full view of the inability of the MSOP to provide an adequate kosher diet" and that "the insights reflected by [Daywitt] in the attached documents, are not available from the parties, or are from a different more experienced perspective of one who is a lifetime practitioner of the Orthodox Jewish faith." (Id. at 2). Therefore, Daywitt asks that he be "granted permission . . . to file . . . the attached document." (Id. at 3). Daywitt's references to "the attached document" appear to be references to Daywitt's Memorandum and Amicus Curiae of Kenneth Daywitt in Support of Plaintiff ("Amicus Memorandum") [Doc. No. 62].
To the extent Daywitt's Motion for Amicus Curiae seeks permission to
To the extent the Motion for Amicus Curiae asks the Court to
In sum, for the reasons stated above, the Court recommends that the Motion for Amicus Curiae be denied.
Based on the foregoing, and all the files, records, and proceedings herein,
Subdivision 2 explicitly provides for a private cause of action for anyone injured by the unfair discrimination described in subdivision 1. Bishop "would equate not being served an adequate kosher diet [to] discrimination" which would "fall under the purview of . . . Minn. Stat. § 151.061 subd. 2 and [he] should be allowed to bring this civil action." (Bishop's Mem. in Opp'n at 15). Not only is Bishop's apparent attempt to amend his complaint with a new assertion in his response to the Motion to Dismiss inappropriate, but the type of discrimination prohibited in Minnesota Statute section 151.061—unfair price discrimination in the selling of prescription drugs—is unrelated to the alleged misconduct at issue in this case.
Because Bishop is not a prisoner, but a civilly committed detainee, he cannot bring a claim based on conditions of confinement "directly under the Eighth Amendment." Lee v. Klingaman, No. 13-cv-799 (PJS/FLN), 2013 WL 1900564, at *3 (D. Minn. Apr. 18, 2013) (Noel, Mag. J.) report and recommendation adopted by 2013 WL 1900561 (May 7, 2013). But "federal courts have consistently held that under the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause, the protections of the Eighth Amendment are fully applicable to non-prisoners who are held in governmental custody, including civilly committed detainees." Id. "This means that the deliberate indifference standard of the Eighth Amendment remains applicable to civilly committed patients challenging the conditions of confinement under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment." Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). Defendants do not address this claim that, although not artfully pled, is contained within the Second Amended Complaint. See (Second Am. Compl.); see also (Bishop's Mem. in Opp'n at 8) (arguing that Bishop has pled claims under the Fourteenth Amendment "by stating how the Defendants have violated his rights to have a nutritionally adequate kosher diet,
