JANIS GRAHAM JACK, Senior District Judge.
On this day came on to be considered Defendants' Rule 12(b)(1) Motion to Dismiss. (D.E. 43.) For the reasons stated herein, Defendants' Rule 12(b)(1) Motion to Dismiss is DENIED. (D.E. 43.)
This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (federal question), as Plaintiffs bring claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (D.E. 1 at 9.)
Plaintiffs filed this civil rights action in this Court on March 29, 2011, naming as defendants Rick Perry (Governor of Texas), Thomas Suehs (Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission), and Anne Heiligenstein (Commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services). (D.E. 1.) The Court subsequent certified this lawsuit as a class action, consisting of "[a]ll children who are now and all those who will be in the Permanent Managing Conservatorship [(`PMC')] of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services [(`DFPS')]." (D.E. 49 at 34.) Plaintiffs seek injunctive and declaratory relief to remedy what they claim is Defendants' operation of the Texas foster care system in violation of certain federal constitutional mandates.
On May 24, 2011, Defendants filed their Rule 12(b)(1) Motion to Dismiss, contending that this lawsuit "would effectively require the Court to takeover and administer Texas' foster care system despite the fact that regular and competent oversight of Texas' foster children has already been entrusted to the Texas district courts by the Texas Legislature." As such, they request that this Court abstain from exercising jurisdiction over this action pursuant to the Younger and Burford doctrines,
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) governs challenges to a court's subject matter jurisdiction.
Federal courts have a "virtually unflagging obligation" to exercise jurisdiction granted to them. Deakins v. Monaghan, 484 U.S. 193, 203, 108 S.Ct. 523, 98 L.Ed.2d 529 (1988) (quoting Colorado River Water Conservation Dist. v. United States, 424 U.S. 800, 813, 817, 96 S.Ct. 1236, 47 L.Ed.2d 483 (1976)). Certain doctrines, however, require abstention in "extraordinary circumstances." Deakins, 484 U.S. at 203, 108 S.Ct. 523. One such abstention doctrine originates from the Supreme Court's decision in Younger v. Harris. In Younger, the Supreme Court reversed a district court decision enjoining a state district attorney (Younger) from prosecuting Harris under the California Criminal Syndicalism Act (which Harris claimed ran afoul of certain constitutional rights) because that injunction violated a "national policy forbidding federal courts to stay or enjoin pending state court proceedings except under special circumstances." Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 39-41, 91 S.Ct. 746, 27 L.Ed.2d 669 (1971). As the Supreme Court has subsequently explained, Younger abstention "is reinforced by ... an aspect of federalism which we have described as `the notion of `comity,' that is, a proper respect for state functions, a recognition of the fact that the entire country is made up of a Union of separate state governments, and a continuance of the belief that the National Government will fare best if the States and their institutions are left free to perform their separate functions in their separate ways.' Central to Younger was the recognition that ours is a system in which `the National Government, anxious though it may be to vindicate and protect federal rights and federal interests, always endeavors to do so in ways that will not unduly interfere with the legitimate activities of the States.'" Huffman v. Pursue, Ltd., 420 U.S. 592, 601, 95 S.Ct. 1200, 43 L.Ed.2d 482 (1975) (quoting Younger, 401 U.S. at 43-45, 91 S.Ct. 746).
The Fifth Circuit has noted that, "[a]lthough Younger abstention originally applied only to criminal prosecutions, it also applies when certain civil proceedings are pending, if the State's interests in the proceeding are so important that exercise of the federal judicial power would disregard the comity between the States and the National Government." Health Net, Inc. v. Wooley, 534 F.3d 487, 494 (5th Cir. 2008) (citations omitted). Abstention under Younger v. Harris "is generally deemed appropriate [when] assumption of jurisdiction by a federal court would interfere with pending state proceedings, whether of a criminal, civil, or even administrative character." Louisiana Debating and Literary Ass'n v. City of New Orleans, 42 F.3d 1483, 1490 (5th Cir. 1995). In determining whether Younger abstention is warranted, courts apply a three factor test derived from Middlesex County Ethics Committee v. Garden State Bar Association, 457 U.S. 423, 432, 102 S.Ct. 2515, 73 L.Ed.2d 116 (1982). The Middlesex factors are: "(1) the dispute must involve an `ongoing state judicial proceeding,' (2) an important state interest in the subject matter of the proceeding must be implicated, and (3) the state proceedings must afford an adequate opportunity to raise constitutional challenges." Texas Ass'n of Business v. Earle, 388 F.3d 515, 519 (5th Cir. 2004) (citing Wightman v. Tex. Supreme Ct., 84 F.3d 188, 189 (5th Cir. 1996)); see Middlesex, 457 U.S. at 432, 102 S.Ct. 2515. "When these requirements are met, the federal district court has no choice but to dismiss the federal action; it may not abstain, nor may it stay the federal action pending resolution of the state proceedings." Nall v. Stringer, 4 F.3d 989, 1993 WL 360771, at *3 (5th Cir. 1993). "[A] district court's decision to
Defendants contend that Younger abstention is appropriate here. In essence, they argue that Texas district courts exercise continuing jurisdiction over each child in foster care, and this federal class action would interfere with that jurisdiction. Defendants also cite relevant precedents to have applied Younger in similar contexts, and contend that the Middlesex factors are satisfied. (D.E. 43.) In response, Plaintiffs point out that Texas receives federal funding and submits to federal oversight; as such, this case does not offend principles of comity and federalism. They also contend that none of the Middlesex factors are satisfied, and that numerous precedents around the nation support rejection of Younger abstention in the context of cases challenging state foster care systems. (D.E. 55.)
The Court begins with a review of the Middlesex factors, then turns to relevant precedent and other arguments the parties raise.
The parties dispute whether the Middlesex factors are satisfied, thus warranting Younger abstention. Defendants contend that all three factors are satisfied; Plaintiffs contend that none are. The Court addresses each in turn.
The first consideration under Middlesex is whether the dispute involves an "ongoing state judicial proceeding." Earle, 388 F.3d at 519. "State judicial proceedings" generally include criminal, civil, and "administrative proceedings that are `judicial' in nature." Id. at 520.
In support of their position on this point, Defendants describe in detail the legal procedures governing foster care in Texas, which themselves are not in dispute. In essence, the Texas district court to which a child's suit affecting the parent child relationship ("SAPCR") is assigned has a "continuing statutory duty to oversee" the child's case. (D.E. 43 at 10 (citing Tex. Fam.Code §§ 101.032; 155.001(a); 161.001 et seq.; 262.001 et seq.; 263.001 et seq.; 264.001 et seq.).) This oversight begins with a hearing, held within 14 days after a child is removed from his parent's custody, and once a child is placed with DFPS, a "service plan" for the child is developed, with a goal of finding a permanent placement for the child. The court must review that plan. (D.E. 43 at 11 (citing Tex. Fam.Code §§ 263.304-.305; 263.101; 263.105(a); 263.105(b); 263.102; 263.106.)) DFPS also prepares a "permanency plan" for each child, and the district court reviews DFPS's "permanency progress reports" in relation to the permanency plan at regular intervals. (D.E. 43 at 11 (citing Tex. Fam.Code §§ 263.3025; 263.304; 263.305; 263.306; 40 Tex. Admin.Code §§ 700.1202; 700.1205).). If parental rights to a child are terminated, and DFPS is named as the child's managing conservator, the court holds placement reviews every six months until the child is adopted or reaches adulthood. Persons interested in the child's welfare are provided notice, and the child must also attend the hearing, unless excused. (D.E. 43 at 11-12) (citing Tex. Fam.Code §§ 263.501(a), (b), (d), (f).) Placement review reports are prepared by DFPS and filed with the court prior to the hearing. This report reviews the placement, considers its appropriateness, addresses other services, and makes other findings. At the hearing, the court must decide whether the child's placement is safe and appropriate to the child's needs, whether the child is receiving needed services, adoption issues, and other considerations. Appeals of district court decisions
In response, Plaintiffs first note that the Court's exercise of jurisdiction will not undermine federalism and comity principles, since Texas participates in the federal Title IV-E program,
The Court does not find that the ongoing state proceedings at issue here satisfy the first Middlesex factor. The children in this class action have already (or will be) placed in the state PMC. When DFPS is "named as a child's managing conservator in a final order," further "placement review hearings" are conducted on a regular basis, but such hearings focus on a review of DFPS decisions, such as whether the child's placement is safe, whether it is in the "least restrictive environment," and other issues. Tex. Fam.Code §§ 263.501; 263.503. The Supreme Court in New Orleans Public Service, Inc. v. Council of the City of New Orleans, et al., held that Younger abstention does not extend to judicial proceedings that, like those at issue here, are focused solely upon review of executive actions. The Court explained:
491 U.S. 350, 367-68, 109 S.Ct. 2506, 105 L.Ed.2d 298 (1989) (emphasis added; citations omitted) ("NOPSI"); see also Connor B. ex rel. Vigurs v. Patrick, 771 F.Supp.2d 142, 154 (D.Mass.2011) ("Where, as here, the state court proceeding is limited to a review of executive action, the Supreme Court has made clear that Younger abstention is inappropriate."). Further, the Fifth Circuit in Earle explained that while Younger extends beyond criminal proceedings, "[i]t is the criminal law arena where the federal courts' deference to state courts has been most pronounced. Other proceedings have been found to be due the same deference
Even if the proceedings at issue here could constitute "ongoing state judicial proceedings," there is no indication that this lawsuit would interfere with those proceedings. Louisiana Debating and Literary Ass'n, 42 F.3d at 1490. Defendants contend that any court order granting Plaintiffs' requested relief would unduly interfere with their ongoing state proceedings, in violation of Younger. Defendants point to the cases of D.P. and S.A., two of the named Plaintiffs, as examples of circumstances in which a federal court injunction would "duplicate and interfere" with the SAPCR courts' ongoing authority in the state court proceedings. In these cases, Defendants argue that the state courts have "entered orders that are in the best interests of the children whose SAPCRs are before them," and the requested injunctive relief would interfere with those state court decisions. (D.E. 43 at 29-32.) Defendants also object to Plaintiffs' request for special expert panels to review certain types of cases, which they state would create "de facto appellate courts" to second guess state court decisions. Finally, Defendants note that Plaintiffs' requested system-wide relief (reducing caseworker caseloads, establishing certain standards for foster care homes, and other requests) would in effect "control the very decisions that are at the heart of the state court's continuing jurisdiction," and would override the SAPCR courts' decisions. (D.E. 43 at 32-35.) Plaintiffs take issue with Defendants' position that the class action will interfere with a child's individual periodic placement review hearings, as Plaintiffs' goal is to correct "systemic failures of the executive agency" in the foster care context, and seek to compel executive agency officials to operate the system consistent with constitutional obligations. (D.E. 55 at 13-15.)
The Court concludes that "interference" in the context of Younger is not present here. As noted elsewhere, Plaintiffs seek broad injunctive and declaratory relief aimed at improving the Texas foster care system as a whole, not to interrupt, alter, or in any other manner change a particular state court placement review decision. The relief sought is directed against executive branch officials in the DFPS, not the judiciary. There is no evidence of interference with ongoing state judicial proceedings, warranting abstention. Many other courts to have considered similar
Defendants note two of the Plaintiffs' Children's court files, D.P. and S.A., as examples of situations where injunctive relief by this Court "would duplicate and interfere with the SAPCR courts' ongoing authority [in] the state court proceedings." (D.E. 43 at 29-32.) The Court recognizes that the SAPCR courts have conducted detailed reviews of each child's placement and condition since entering foster care, and have "enter[ed] orders that are in the best interests of the children whose SAPCRs are before them." (D.E. 43 at 31.) These court files, consisting of Permanency Plan and Permanency Progress Reports, Placement Review Reports, Placement Review Orders, and other documents, evaluate the appropriateness and safety of the child's placement, educational development, medical status, as well as plans for the future. (D.E. 43-6; D.E. 43-7; D.E. 43-8; D.E. 43-9 (D.P. files); D.E. 43-10 (S.A. files); D.E. 43-11 (K.E. files); D.E. 43-12 (Z.H. files); D.E. 43-13 (D.I. files).) Upon reviewing these files, however, the Court does not agree with Defendants that this lawsuit would interfere with these ongoing state court proceedings. As noted earlier, this lawsuit seeks to improve the standards for all children in state foster care and protect foster children's constitutional rights, seeking systemic changes that would improve the foster care system for all children. Such a lawsuit would ultimately aid the ongoing state proceedings, not interfere with them. Moreover, the Court notes that the state reports focus upon the specifics of each child's placement and whether his or her needs are being met; they do not address whether the child's treatment in foster care satisfies constitutional demands, the central concern of this lawsuit.
As this lawsuit focuses on systemic problems and seeks systemic solutions, it would not "duplicate" the individualized reviews that occur in the state courts.
The second Middlesex factor requires that "an important state interest in the subject matter of the proceeding must be implicated." Earle, 388 F.3d at 519. In this regard, Defendants argue that "Texas has determined that establishment of a stable, loving home for a child is not only an important governmental interest but a compelling one," and the state's "efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect sufficiently implicate important state interests to justify Younger abstention." (D.E. 43 at 23-24.) Plaintiffs responds that this suit does not "invade the province of the Texas state courts to enforce state law defining the parent-child relationship," but rather seeks to determine "whether DFPS is administering a system capable of delivering care and protection to the Plaintiff Class of PMC wards consistent with constitutional mandates," a question "permeated by federal regulatory oversight and policy." (D.E. 55 at 15.) In this regard, Plaintiffs again reference Title IV-E funds. (Id.)
There can be no real dispute that family relations and care for foster children are important state interests, under the second Middlesex factor. Moore v. Sims, 442 U.S. 415, 435, 99 S.Ct. 2371, 60 L.Ed.2d 994 (1979) ("Family relations are a traditional area of state concern."); Shipula, 2011 WL 1882521, at *9 ("In the context of a Younger abstention, family relations, child custody and child welfare are important state interests."). The mere fact that federal oversight also exists does not lessen the importance of this state interest. Nevertheless, a finding in favor of Defendants on this factor alone is insufficient to warrant Younger abstention.
The final Middlesex factor requires that "the state proceedings . . . afford an adequate opportunity to raise constitutional challenges." Earle, 388 F.3d at 519. As to this factor, Defendants argue that the SAPCR court is an adequate forum to hear Plaintiffs' federal claims, as those courts are capable of hearing and resolving constitutional challenges. (D.E. 43 at 26-27.) In response, Plaintiffs concede that Texas state courts may consider constitutional issues, but argue that "the placement review hearings for children in PMC address only individual case circumstances and not the systemic failures the Plaintiff Class raises here." (D.E. 55 at 15-17.)
Although the Court does not doubt the capability of the judges in state court placement review hearings to address and vindicate constitutional rights, it cannot conclude that these hearings represent an "adequate opportunity" to raise the complex constitutional challenges and obtain broad-based injunctive and declaratory relief that Plaintiffs seek in this class action lawsuit. State court placement review hearings focus on whether the particular child's needs are being met, not overarching systemic concerns or constitutional violations. See Tex. Fam.Code § 263.503(a). Even if Plaintiffs could adequately raise their constitutional claims in state court placement review hearings, there is no indication that they could seek or obtain the
Other courts have likewise concluded that Younger abstention is not warranted in the face of limited state court review hearings. As the court in Connor B. explained, "[a]lthough Defendants maintain that Plaintiffs in theory can assert federal claims in state juvenile courts, they fail to explain how those courts present an adequate forum for Plaintiffs' claims. In fact,
In sum, this Court concludes that it should not abstain from adjudicating this class-action civil rights litigation based upon the mere possibility that such claims could have been brought in state placement review hearings instead. Abstention in these circumstances would be inappropriate. The Court finds that the Middlesex factors, in particular the first and third considerations, do not warrant abstention. Although foster care (and family relations in general) are important state interests, this alone cannot justify Younger abstention. This conclusion is supported by the weight of authority in this area, to which the Court turns next.
The parties agree that no Fifth Circuit precedent is directly on point. Instead, Defendants rely primarily upon two circuit court opinions, 31 Foster Children v. Bush, 329 F.3d 1255 (11th Cir.2003) and J.B. ex rel. Hart v. Valdez, 186 F.3d 1280 (10th Cir.1999), both of which applied Younger abstention in the context of "virtually identical challenges to foster care systems in other states," and found that a federal lawsuit would improperly interfere with ongoing state court proceedings. (D.E. 43 at 18-20.) Defendants also cite Carson v. Heineman, 240 F.R.D. 456 (D.Neb.2007), which followed the lead of 31 Foster Children and J.B. in concluding that Younger abstention was appropriate in a class action brought by Nebraska foster children, challenging inadequacies in that state's system. (D.E. 43 at 20-21.) The "critical element" in each case, according to Defendants, was "whether every child in the system was subject to the state court's ongoing jurisdiction, including bi-annual court review of each child's placement," and the Texas foster care system is nearly identical to those at issue in these cases, as is the relief sought. (D.E. 43 at 21-22.) Plaintiffs respond with numerous other cases that have rejected Younger abstention in circumstances similar to that before the Court, and also distinguish 31 Foster Children and J.B. (D.E. 55 at 17-20.)
Although it is undoubtedly true that every state system and every lawsuit differs in some respects, the overwhelming majority of cases have rejected Younger abstention in similar lawsuits challenging foster care systems, both at the circuit and district court level. For example, in La-Shawn A., the plaintiffs brought a class action lawsuit on behalf of children who were in foster care under the supervision of the District of Columbia Department of Human Services ("DHS"), as well as children who were reported to be abused or neglected but were not yet in DHS custody. The plaintiffs alleged various deficiencies in the DHS system, and claimed constitutional violations. 990 F.2d at 1320-21. On appeal, the D.C. Circuit addressed Defendants' position that the district court should have abstained under Younger. The court found that Younger abstention was not warranted because "there was no pending judicial proceeding in the District of Columbia which could have served as an adequate forum for the class of children in this case to present its multifaceted request for broad-based injunctive relief based on the Constitution and on federal and local statutory law." Id. at 1323. As another example, in L.H. v. Jamieson, the Ninth Circuit considered a class action brought by "juveniles who have been adjudged dependent, neglected, or delinquent by Arizona state courts and who are presently placed in private, child-caring facilities in Arizona," and who sought injunctive
One district court within the Fifth Circuit has also rejected Younger abstention in a similar context. In Olivia Y., plaintiffs brought a lawsuit under Section 1983 "on behalf of Mississippi's abused and neglected children seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to compel [state official] defendants . . . to meet their legal obligations to care for and protect these children." 351 F.Supp.2d at 546. Plaintiffs "allege[d] that Mississippi's child welfare system has systematically failed to meet its legal obligation to protect and care for all of the State's abused and neglected children, all as a result of gross mismanagement and underfunding of Mississippi's overburdened child welfare system." Id. The court recognized that the state youth court's proceedings were ongoing, but ultimately rejected Younger abstention, stating that it would "be hard-pressed to conclude that any specific relief plaintiffs seek in this action would necessarily interfere with ongoing youth court proceedings. Or stated another way, it is not apparent that all the relief plaintiffs might request would interfere, either directly or indirectly, with ongoing youth court proceedings." Id. at 570. Numerous other district courts around the nation have also rejected Younger abstention, on various grounds. See, e.g., Connor B., 771 F.Supp.2d at 153; Dwayne B., 2007 WL 1140920, at *5-7 (rejecting Younger in part because "[t]he relief sought here is not directed at the juvenile courts. It is directed at the executive branch," and because "the state juvenile courts are not more appropriate vehicles for adjudicating the claims raised in this class action"); Kenny A. ex rel. Winn v. Perdue, 218 F.R.D. 277, 286 (N.D.Ga. 2003) (declining to abstain under Younger, and explaining in part, "[a]lthough plaintiffs all have periodic reviews before the state juvenile courts, the declaratory and injunctive relief plaintiffs seek is not directed at their review hearings, or at Georgia's juvenile courts, juvenile court judges, or juvenile court personnel. Rather, plaintiffs seek relief directed solely at executive branch defendants to remedy their alleged failures as plaintiffs' custodians."); Brian A., 149 F.Supp.2d at 957 (Younger abstention inappropriate); People United for Children, Inc., 108 F.Supp.2d at 290-91 (finding Younger abstention inappropriate because family court child neglect proceedings would not "afford plaintiffs an adequate opportunity to raise their present claims"); Charlie H. v. Whitman, 83 F.Supp.2d 476, 514 (D.N.J.2000) (Younger abstention not appropriate); Marisol A. by Forbes v. Giuliani, 929 F.Supp. 662, 688-89 (S.D.N.Y.1996) ("Because none of the plaintiffs in the instant case are improperly challenging a state court proceeding through the federal courts, the Younger abstention doctrine is inapplicable to the instant case.").
Ultimately, the Court finds more persuasive the reasoning of those courts that have declined to abstain based upon Younger abstention than those to the contrary. This Court does not believe that Younger abstention is warranted in a federal civil rights class action brought under Section 1983, seeking large-scale injunctive and declaratory relief against state executives, to vindicate alleged constitutional violations. Abstention would essentially amount to an abdication of this Court's responsibility to serve as a forum for resolution of constitutional claims. In addition, the Court recognizes that the more general concerns about comity and federalism underlying Younger are lessened in light of the state's submission to federal oversight under the Title IV-E foster care program. As one court has explained, "[t]he Foster Care Program, set forth in Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 670 et seq., provides federal matching funds for states that operate foster care plans in compliance with the Act's provisions." Cal. Dep't of Soc. Servs. v. Shalala, 166 F.3d 1019,
In light of its review of the Middlesex factors, the persuasive precedents discussed above, and all other considerations, the Court denies Defendants' Motion to Dismiss based upon the Younger abstention doctrine.
In Burford v. Sun Oil Co., the Supreme Court affirmed a district court decision dismissing an action in which the Sun Oil Company challenged a Texas Railroad Commission order granting Burford a permit to drill certain oil wells. 319 U.S. 315, 316-17, 63 S.Ct. 1098, 87 L.Ed. 1424 (1943). "The order under consideration [was] part of the general regulatory system devised for the conservation of oil and gas in Texas, an aspect of as thorny a problem as has challenged the ingenuity and wisdom of legislatures." Id. at 318, 63 S.Ct. 1098. Recognizing the significant state regulatory framework, the Court concluded that federal court abstention was proper. The Court reasoned:
Burford, 319 U.S. at 333-34, 63 S.Ct. 1098. The Fifth Circuit has recently explained, "Burford abstention applies when a case involves a complex issue of unsettled state law that is better resolved through a state's regulatory scheme." Moore v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 556 F.3d 264, 272 (5th Cir.2009) (citing Burford). As
Id. (citing Wilson v. Valley Elec. Membership Corp., 8 F.3d 311, 314 (5th Cir.1993)).
The Supreme Court has stressed "the narrow range of circumstances in which Burford can justify the dismissal of a federal action." Quackenbush v. Allstate Ins. Co., 517 U.S. 706, 726, 116 S.Ct. 1712, 135 L.Ed.2d 1 (1996). In a recent decision, the Supreme Court in NOPSI distilled its previous Burford rulings into the following general principle: "[w]here timely and adequate state-court review is available, a federal court sitting in equity must decline to interfere with the proceedings or orders of state administrative agencies: (1) when there are difficult questions of state law bearing on policy problems of substantial public import whose importance transcends the result in the case then at bar; or (2) where the exercise of federal review of the question in a case and in similar cases would be disruptive of state efforts to establish a coherent policy with respect to a matter of substantial public concern." NOPSI, 491 U.S. at 361, 109 S.Ct. 2506. The Supreme Court ultimately rejected application of Burford abstention in NOPSI, stating:
491 U.S. at 363-64, 109 S.Ct. 2506. In Quackenbush, the Supreme Court further summarized its Burford jurisprudence as follows:
Quackenbush, 517 U.S. at 727-28, 116 S.Ct. 1712 (emphasis added; internal citations omitted). The Court ultimately rejected application of Burford because monetary damages were sought, not equitable or other discretionary relief. Id. at 731, 116 S.Ct. 1712 (confirming that Burford is applicable "to all cases in which a federal court is asked to provide some form of discretionary relief."). Thus, NOPSI and Quackenbush demonstrate that Burford abstention is a very narrow, limited exception, particularly in light of this Court's duty to adjudicate all cases over which it has jurisdiction, including Section 1983 actions.
Defendants urge the Court to abstain under Burford, contending that "the Court's exercise of jurisdiction over this claim would disrupt Texas' adoption of policy designed to further improve its foster care system." (D.E. 43 at 36.) Defendants rely specifically upon the second application of Burford, which provides, "[w]here timely and adequate state-court review is available, a federal court sitting in equity must decline to interfere with the proceedings or orders of state administrative agencies . . . where the exercise of federal review of the question in a case and in similar cases would be disruptive of state efforts to establish a coherent policy with respect to a matter of substantial public concern." NOPSI, 491 U.S. at 361, 109 S.Ct. 2506; see D.E. 43 at 35.
In outlining the measures the state has undertaken to improve the foster care system, Defendants note the establishment of the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth, and Families, whose goal is to strengthen courts for children, youth, and families in the Texas child-protection system and improve the permanency and well-being of children. The Commission seeks to improve child protection courts through training and support. (D.E. 43 at 36-37.) Defendants also refer to several legislative initiatives aimed at improving the Texas foster care system, including Senate Bill 6 (passed in 2005), Senate Bill 758 (passed in 2007), Senate Bill 2080 (passed in 2009), and Senate Bill 218 (pending). (D.E. 43 at 38-41.) Finally, Defendants note that the Texas Legislature has greatly increased funding of the state's child welfare system over the last several years, due in large part to additional federal funds, and has complied with applicable federal mandates. (D.E. 43 at 42-44.) In light of these improvements, Defendants contend that a federal injunction would disrupt the state's comprehensive efforts to establish and reform foster care. They contend that the Burford factors are met because Plaintiffs' claims are entangled in Texas family law; the case will require the Court to review Texas foster children's records; the state has a strong interest in its foster care system; Texas SAPCR courts have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over each foster child's proceedings; and Texas has a strong interest in establishing a coherent policy in the area of foster care. (D.E. 43 at 45.)
In response, Plaintiffs argue that this lawsuit will not "disrupt" the State's efforts to improve its foster care system, and any effort to "establish a coherent policy" with regard to a child welfare system must take into account federal policies as a condition of receiving federal funds. (D.E. 55 at 22-23.) Plaintiffs also note that no federal court has abstained under Burford abstention in a lawsuit challenging a state
As an initial matter, the Court disagrees with Defendants' contention that Texas's self-initiated improvements to the foster care system warrant Burford abstention. (D.E. 43 at 36.) While the Court does not doubt the state's intent or desire to improve the system, many of the measures at issue were already in place at the time this suit was filed and have not, at least in Plaintiffs' opinion, sufficiently addressed the alleged systemic problems. It makes little sense to abstain on the basis that the state is appropriately addressing problems in the foster care system when this class action lawsuit was brought in the first place to address alleged deficiencies in that very system.
In addition, Defendants do not adequately explain how this lawsuit would "disrupt Texas' adoption of policy designed to further improve its foster care system." (D.E. 43 at 36 (emphasis added).) While Defendants have mentioned several legislative initiatives and other measures undertaken by DFPS to improve the state foster system (D.E. 43-16-43-18) (outlining legislative measures affecting state foster care services); D.E. 43-19, 43-20 (reports on use of psychotropic medications by children)
Finally, consideration of the Wilson factors further demonstrates that Burford abstention is not appropriate. Wilson, 8 F.3d at 314. This claim arises under federal law, not state law; there are no unsettled issues of state law and any investigation into the facts of children's foster care experiences will focus on compliance with constitutional requirements. The state interest, while important, is also subject to federal oversight (in light of Title IV-E funding) and is therefore a matter of federal concern as well. In this regard, the
For these reasons, Burford abstention is improper, and the Court denies Defendants' Motion to Dismiss on this basis.
For the reasons stated above, Defendants' Rule 12(b)(1) Motion to Dismiss is DENIED. (D.E. 43.)
