Maon v. State Dept. of Hospitals CA5 ( 2016 )

Filed 6/21/16 Maon v. State Dept. of Hospitals CA5
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
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IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
LINDA MAON et al.,
F071093
Plaintiffs and Appellants,
(Super. Ct. No. 12CECG03025)
v.
STATE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OPINION
HOSPITALS et al.,
Defendants and Respondents.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Fresno County. Jeffrey
Hamilton and Dale Ikeda, Judges.
Linda Maon, in pro. per., for Plaintiff and Appellant.
Jaffar Oliver, in pro. per., for Plaintiff and Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Julie Weng-Gutierrez, Assistant Attorney
General, Ismael A. Castro and Lisa A. Tillman, Deputy Attorneys General, for
Defendants and Respondents.
-ooOoo-
The plaintiffs appeal from an order sustaining a demurrer to their third amended
complaint, which attempted to allege violations of their right to freely exercise their
religion, their right to equal protection, and their rights under the Religious Land Use and
Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), 42 United States Code section 2000cc et seq.
Plaintiffs are a patient detained at the Coalinga State Hospital and his fiancée. They
asked hospital officials to allow the patient to wear a tuxedo during their Buddhist
wedding ceremony, which was to be conducted in the visiting room of the Coalinga State
Hospital. Their request was denied. They alleged the denial was based on a deliberate
misinterpretation of the written administrative directives pertaining to weddings and
patient clothing.
Under the well-established rules governing judicial review of an agency’s
interpretation of its own regulations and directives, we conclude that the hospital officials
interpreted the administrative directives in a reasonable manner and, therefore, we must
defer to that interpretation. (In re Cabrera (2012) 55 Cal. 4th 683, 687, 690.) We further
conclude that hospital officials’ interpretation and application of the administrative
directives did not violate plaintiffs’ constitutional or statutory rights. Consequently, the
trial court properly sustained the demurrer without leave to amend.
We therefore affirm the judgment.
FACTS
The Parties
Plaintiff Jaffar Oliver is an African-American male who is being held at Coalinga
State Hospital as a civil detainee under the Sexually Violent Predator Act (SVPA),
Welfare and Institutions Code section 6600 et seq. He alleges that he is a ward of the
California Department of State Hospitals (DSH). Plaintiff Linda Maon is Oliver’s
fiancée. She is a Cambodian-American female and a resident of Fresno County.
Plaintiffs’ most recent pleading lists DHS among the defendants in its caption, but
names only Audrey King, director of the Coalinga State Hospital, and Cliff Allenby,
executive director of DSH, as defendants in the text of their allegations. The trial court’s
judgment of dismissal refers to both individuals and the DSH.
2.
Administrative Directs
Effective July 10, 2012, Coalinga State Hospital adopted a revised version of
Administrative Directive No. 618, marriage of patients (AD 618), to replace the prior
version, which was dated May 12, 2011. AD 618 requires a patient to submit a written
request for marriage planning that identifies the patient’s fiancée and any specific
wedding plans. AD 618 states that all expenses of the wedding are the responsibility of
the patient. It also states, “Costs of flowers, decorations, refreshments, photographs,
special clothing, etc. and fee, if any, to the person solemnizing marriage, shall be paid
either by the patient through the Trust Office, the fiancée, and/or family member.”
(Italics added.)
Part VII of AD 618 addresses the wedding ceremony and states that (1) marriages
may take place in the visiting room, (2) ceremonies shall not be combined with any other
social or therapeutic activity, (3) use of the visiting room must be scheduled through the
administration and must not conflict with activities regularly scheduled for the room, (4)
gifts must not be brought inside the secured area, (5) ceremony items must be removed
from the grounds when the visitors leave, and (6) normal security procedures, including
search, will be in effect for all patients and visitors. AD 618 cross references
Administrative Directive No. 738, patient visiting guidelines (AD 738).
AD 738 (rev. Feb. 3, 2012) states: “Individuals are required to wear only state-
issued clothing.” The provision was modified in AD 738 (rev. Nov. 6, 2013) to state:
“Patients are required to wear only state-issued clothing and must wear their state-issued
identification badge.”1
1 Oliver referred to this revision in oral argument, stating it was the only formal
change in the relevant administrative directives and regulations that occurred after the
denial of his request to wear special clothing during the wedding ceremony. The absence
of a formal change in the administrative directive relating to the wearing of special
clothing at a visiting room wedding ceremony, when joined with the allegations about
3.
The Wedding Plans
The description under this heading is based on the facts alleged in plaintiffs’ third
amended complaint.
On July 22, 2012, plaintiffs had a predetermined date for their marriage ceremony,
which was to be held in the visiting room of the Coalinga State Hospital. Prior to the
scheduled date, plaintiffs requested approval to wear “special clothing” that they describe
as “religious garb according to their religious beliefs in the Buddhist faith.” Plaintiffs
believe that “the request for ‘special clothing’ was made with the complete support of
[AD] 618.”
Plaintiffs submitted an informal letter request to Hospital Director King, citing
part VI.A.2 of AD 618 and asserting that provision allowed an individual to have
marriage plans that include wearing a “personal choice of clothing” at the wedding.
King, who had the final authority to grant or deny the request, denied it. As result, Oliver
alleges he “was refused permission to wear a religious outfit, a tuxedo[,] at the
ceremony.” Plaintiffs contend this denial violated their First Amendment rights and their
right to equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment.
In 2013,2 Oliver filed a patient’s complaint because plaintiffs were unable to
convince the administration to relent on the issue. The patient’s complaint asserted there
had been deliberate error in the interpretation of AD 618 and AD 738, “which bear no
relationship to the specificity of clothing worn at the marriage ceremony.” Plaintiffs
how AD 618 was applied in the past, relates to Oliver’s claims of different or
discriminatory treatment. (See pt. III, post.)
2 Plaintiffs allege the patient’s complaint was filed March 26, 2013. The materials
included in their appellants’ appendix includes a March 26, 2013, memorandum to Oliver
from patients’ rights advocates that refers to his January 30, 2013, complaint regarding
not being able to wear “special clothing” for his planned wedding in the visiting area.
The memorandum states that Welfare and Institutions Code section 7232 and California
Code of Regulations, title 9, section 890 address the clothing worn by patients.
4.
stated that “administration cannot arbitrarily deny a right written within the
Administrative Directive.”
Plaintiffs have interpreted AD 618 to mean (1) when it comes to “special
clothing,” it is the responsibility of the patient and his fiancée to supply the clothing the
groom and bride will wear and (2) there is nothing on the subject of security as a major
concern relating to the type of clothing. In plaintiff’s view, “it is unavoidably evident
that there was and is no security restrictions on the style, color, or religious affiliation [of]
the individuals [with] respect to … the clothing they wear at the wedding.” Based on this
view of the directives and institutional security, plaintiffs alleged that King’s denial was
an arbitrary and capricious decision unrelated to legitimate governmental interest about
security.
PROCEEDINGS
In September 2012, plaintiffs, acting in pro. per., filed a civil complaint and
obtained a waiver of court fees. In June 2013, they filed a handwritten document labeled
“First Amended Civil Complaint” against DHS that alleged Oliver requested permission
to purchase a tuxedo for a marriage ceremony to be conducted in the visiting room of the
Coalinga State Hospital, but his request was denied. Plaintiffs alleged the denial was
discriminatory because three other patients had been allowed to wear their own clothing
during wedding ceremonies.
The allegation of discrimination was supported by written statements signed by
three other patients and attached to the first amended complaint. The wedding
ceremonies referred to in those statements had been held in 2008 and 2009. The patient
married in January 2008 stated, “I was able to wear my own clothes (dress) that my wife
brought.” The patient married in May 2009, stated that he had to give his unit social
worker a list of what kind of food, drinks and clothes to be worn, but did not identify the
clothes he wore for the wedding ceremony. A third statement asserted that two other
5.
patients attended the wedding and “we were all allowed to wear our personal clothing
such as suits leisure wear.”
In August 2013, DSH filed an amended motion to quash service of the summons
for failure to provide a notice and acknowledgment of receipt form. The motion asserted
the first amended complaint was served by mail upon DHS’s litigation coordinator
without the required notice and acknowledgment. The motion was not opposed. In
September 2013, the trial court granted the motion to quash.
Second Amended Complaint
In November 2013, Oliver filed a pleading labeled “42 U.S.C. §1983 Amended
Civil Rights Complaint” that named Audrey King, director of the Coalinga State
Hospital, and Cliff Allenby, executive director of DSH, as defendants. The amended
complaint alleged AD 618 had been misapplied to Oliver’s request to wear his own
clothing at the wedding ceremony. It also alleged that Oliver “was denied the right to
practice his religious customs of marriage, which is to dress in garments of his Hinduistic
religious beliefs towards marriage,” and alleged that other patients had been allowed to
dress as they chose.
In March 2014, a demurrer to the second amended complaint was filed. The
demurrer stated that Oliver had failed to state a cause of action for a violation of the First
or Fourteenth Amendment, the equal protection clause, or 42 United States Code section
1983. Oliver filed a written objection to the demurrer. The trial court issued a tentative
ruling to sustain the demurrer with leave to amend.
In June 2014, the court adopted its tentative ruling. The court determined the
doctrine of judicial estoppel barred the religious-based allegations in the second amended
complaint. The court stated that the first amended complaint alleged the denial centered
on Oliver’s request to wear a tuxedo and the second amended complaint discarded the
allegations about the tuxedo and alleged Oliver’s request was “to wear ‘special clothing’
6.
which would be religious garb according to his religious beliefs in the H[i]ndu faith.”3
The trial court stated the first amended complaint’s identification of the subject clothing
as a tuxedo was clear and a conclusive concession of the truth of the matter admitted.
The trial court also addressed Oliver’s other constitutional and statutory claims.
Third Amended Complaint
In July 2014, plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint, which was erroneously
labeled “Second Amended Civil Rights Complaint.” This pleading addressed the
apparent contradiction in the earlier pleadings about religious garb and a tuxedo by
alleging hospital officials had not sought an alternate “method to allow the wearing of a
religious tuxedo for him and a religious gown similar to the tuxedo.” This allegation is
not entirely clear, but plaintiffs may be asserting that Oliver wearing a Buddhist-type
tuxedo during the wedding has religious significance. During oral argument, Oliver
stated that his original request involved a Buddhist-type tuxedo and Buddhist attire for
his fiancée and, subsequently, as to his clothing for the ceremony, he proposed wearing a
regular tuxedo as a compromise. Oliver also stated that he never received a direct answer
from the administration on his proposed compromise.
The third amended complaint addressed how AD 618 should be interpreted. Some
of these allegations were described earlier in the last paragraph under the heading, “The
Wedding Plans.” Plaintiffs also alleged AD 618 is perfectly written to avoid misreading
and sets forth no security restrictions on the style, color or the individual’s religious
affiliation of clothing worn at a wedding. (See pt. II.B, post [meaning of AD 618].)
3 During oral argument, Oliver asked this court to liberally construe his attempts to
plead a constitutional claim and not hold mistakes against him, such as the references in
the second amended complaint to the Hindu faith. He states the mistakes were made
because he had relied on assistance from another detainee who knew little more about
court procedures and pleadings than he did at the time.
7.
In September 2014, defendant Allenby filed a demurrer to the third amended
complaint. In November 2014, plaintiffs filed an opposition that attributed the demurrer
to both King and Allenby, along with an attached memorandum of points and authorities.
Plaintiffs argued that they had stated constitutional and statutory causes of action.
The trial court issued a tentative ruling stating it would sustain the demurrers as to
the entire third amended complaint without leave to amend and dismiss the complaint as
to Allenby and King. On November 13, 2014, the trial court issued a minute order
adopting the tentative ruling as the order of the court.
On November 20, 2014, defendants King and Allenby filed an ex parte application
requesting the court “dismiss them from this action.” That same day, the trial court
entered a minute order that dismissed the matter without prejudice.
In January 2015, Oliver and Maon each filed a notice of appeal. In June 2015, a
judgment was “entered in favor of defendants King, Allenby and Department of State
Hospitals, Coalinga.” The judgment referred to a November 20, 2014, order dismissing
the matter without prejudice.
DISCUSSION
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Appellate courts independently review the ruling on a general demurrer and make
a de novo determination of whether the pleading “alleges facts sufficient to state a cause
of action under any legal theory.” (McCall v. PacifiCare of Cal., Inc. (2001) 25 Cal. 4th
412, 415.) Generally, appellate courts “give the complaint a reasonable interpretation,
reading it as a whole and its parts in their context. [Citation.]” (City of Dinuba v. County
of Tulare (2007) 41 Cal. 4th 859, 865 (Dinuba).) The demurrer is treated as admitting all
material facts properly pleaded, but does not admit the truth of contentions, deductions or
conclusions of law. (Ibid.; see Code Civ. Proc., § 452 [pleading “must be liberally
construed, with a view to substantial justice between the parties”].)
8.
When a demurrer is properly sustained on the ground that the complaint fails to
state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, and leave to amend is denied, “we
decide whether there is a reasonable possibility that the defect can be cured by
amendment: if it can be, the trial court has abused its discretion and we reverse; if not,
there has been no abuse of discretion and we affirm. [Citations.] The burden of
[demonstrating] such reasonable possibility is squarely on the plaintiff.” (Blank v.
Kirwan (1985) 39 Cal. 3d 311, 318.) The requisite demonstration of a reasonable
possibility of curing the defect by amendment may be made by the plaintiff for the first
time on appeal. (Code Civ. Proc., § 472c, subd. (a); City of Stockton v. Superior Court
(2007) 42 Cal. 4th 730, 746-747 [the issue of leave to amend is always open on appeal,
even if not raised by the plaintiff].)4
II. INTERPRETING AND APPLYING ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVES
The starting point for plaintiffs’ claim that wrongs were committed is their “legal
theory” (Dinuba, supra, 41 Cal.4th at p. 870) that defendants misinterpreted AD 618 and
AD 738 and then used their misinterpretation to deny Oliver’s request to wear a tuxedo
during the wedding ceremony. Consequently, we begin by addressing this legal theory
about the proper interpretation of the administrative directives.
A. Legal Principles
1. Legal Context
The legal hierarchy above administrative directives consists of (1) the United
States Constitution, (2) other federal law, (3) the California Constitution, (4) California
statutes, and (5) the provisions in the California Code of Regulations. This hierarchy
plays a role in this case because laws other than administrative directives address
4 Because the law allows a plaintiff to show the ability to amend for the first time on
appeal, defendants’ motion to strike portions of appellants’ appendices, which asserted
certain documents had not been presented to the trial court, is denied.
9.
detainee clothing and the directives must be interpreted to operate in harmony with that
higher authority.
2. Requirements Imposed by Statute and Regulation
There are no federal or state constitutional provisions that address what clothing a
detainee may or may not wear. The subject is addressed by California statute. Welfare
and Institutions Code section 7232, subdivision (a) directs the State Department of
Mental Health to issue a state hospital administrative directive that requires patients
within the secured perimeter of each state hospital “to wear clothing that enables these
patients to be readily identified.” In accordance with this statute, section 890 of title 9 of
the California Code of Regulations states: “The facility director shall specify the types of
clothing that are authorized to be worn by non-LPS patients in the facility.” “Non-LPS”
refers to placement in a facility pursuant to legal authority other than the Lanterman-
Petris-Short Act, Welfare and Institutions Code section 5000 et seq. (9 Cal. Code Regs.,
§ 881, subd. (o).) Thus, a person detained under the SVPA is a non-LPS patient.
3. Rules for Interpreting Ambiguous Regulations or Directives
When a state agency promulgates quasi-legislative rules as part of the lawmaking
power delegated to it by the Legislature, those rules are subject to a very limited judicial
review. (In re Cabrera, supra, 55 Cal.4th at p. 687.) In this case, the administrative
directives addressing patient clothing clearly were adopted pursuant to a legislative
delegation of authority. Welfare and Institutions Code section 7232, subdivision (a)
specifically mandates the adoption of an administrative directive that requires patients to
wear clothing that enables them to be readily identified. Therefore, we conclude that the
rules of law governing the interpretation of quasi-legislative rules apply to the provisions
of AD 618 and AD 738 that address patient clothing. In accordance with those rules, this
court must defer to the hospital officials’ interpretation of their directives unless that
interpretation is clearly unreasonable. (In re Cabrera, supra, at p. 690.)
10.
B. Meaning of AD 618
Plaintiffs’ third amended complaint sets forth their interpretation of part VI.A.2 of
AD 618. They assert it “allows an individual patient to have marriage plans that
include[] ‘personal choice of clothing’ to wear at the wedding.” Furthermore, plaintiffs
contend AD 618 says nothing on the subject of security and, as a result, there are no
security restrictions on the style, color or religious affiliation of clothing worn by a
patient at a wedding.
1. Actual Wording of AD 618
First, we note that plaintiffs put quotation marks around the phrase “personal
choice of clothing” as though that phrase actually appears in part VI.A.2 of AD 618. Our
review of the version of AD 618 available in the record has not located a version that
contains that phrase. Instead, part VI.A.2 of the version of AD 618 that became effective
on July 10, 2012, states:
“Costs of flowers, decorations, refreshments, photographs, special clothing,
etc. and fee, if any, to the person solemnizing marriage, shall be paid either
by the patient through the Trust Office, the fiancée, and/or family member.”
(Italics added.)
Therefore, to the extent plaintiffs’ interpretation of AD 618 is based on the belief
that AD 618 contains the phrase “personal choice of clothing” and thereby allows
patients to personally choose their attire, their interpretation is incorrect because that
phrase does not appear in AD 618.
Second, plaintiffs’ contention that AD 618 says nothing about security is wrong.
Part VII.E of AD 618 states, “Normal security procedures, including search, will be in
effect for all patients and visitors.” It appears that hospital officials have interpreted
“[n]ormal security procedures” as including the rules applicable to patient clothing, an
interpretation that is not clearly unreasonable. Therefore, we will defer to that
interpretation. (In re Cabrera, supra, 55 Cal.4th at p. 690.)
11.
2. Ambiguity in AD 618
There is no question that AD 618 uses the term “special clothing” in connection
with wedding ceremonies allowed in the visiting room of Coalinga State Hospital.
However, there are at least two ambiguities connected to this term.
The first ambiguity is that AD 618 does not state who may wear the special
clothing and who may not. Consequently, we cannot determine whether “special
clothing” includes items that might be worn by the patient or, alternatively, is limited to
items worn only by other members of the wedding party, such as the spouse who is not a
patient or the person solemnizing the marriage.
The second ambiguity results from term “special clothing” itself. If “special
clothing” was intended to include items that might be worn by the patient at the wedding,
then it is possible that the word “special” means in addition to the patient’s regular
clothing. For example, headwear such as a yarmulke or Kufi cap might meet this
interpretation of “special” because it can be worn with (not in lieu of) hospital-issued
clothing.
These two ambiguities have not been explicitly addressed and resolved by hospital
officials in the documents before this court. However, the March 26, 2013, memorandum
to Oliver from the patients’ rights advocates, when read in the context of Oliver’s request
to wear a tuxedo during the wedding ceremony, demonstrates that AD 618 was
interpreted so that Oliver’s tuxedo was not deemed “special clothing.” Thus, regardless
of how the two ambiguities are resolved, it is clear that hospital officials interpreted AD
618 to mean that a tuxedo, when worn by a patient, did not qualify as “special clothing”
allowed to be worn during a wedding ceremony performed in the visiting room of the
Coalinga State Hospital.
Pursuant to the rule of law governing judicial review of agency rules and
regulations, our review of the agency’s interpretation of its own directives does not
consider whether the agency has adopted the best or most logical interpretation. (See In
12.
re Cabrera, supra, 55 Cal.4th at p. 690.) Instead, we determine whether the hospital
officials’ interpretation of their directives was clearly unreasonable. (Ibid.) If their
interpretation is not clearly unreasonable, we must accept that interpretation. (Ibid.)
Accordingly, the issue presented is whether defendant’s interpretation of AD 618
and the term “special clothing” as excluding a tuxedo worn by a patient is clearly
unreasonable. If the interpretation of “special clothing” to exclude a tuxedo worn by a
patient “falls within the range of reasonable interpretations,” it “is entitled to judicial
deference.” (Menefield v. Foreman (2014) 231 Cal. App. 4th 211, 218.)
The parties appear to agree that a tuxedo is “clothing,” which is a reasonable
interpretation of that word. Therefore, our inquiry focuses on the meaning of the word
“special.” Our examination of the dictionary definition of “special” includes “peculiar”
or “unique”. (See Webster’s New World Dict. (2d ed. 2002) p. 611.); Wasatch Property
Management v. Degrate (2005) 35 Cal. 4th 1111, 1121-1122 [courts may refer to the
dictionary definition of a word to ascertain its ordinary, usual meaning].) Based on this
definition, the term “special clothing” would appear to apply to a tuxedo that is worn by a
patient solely for purposes of the wedding ceremony. However, our inquiry does not end
with dictionary definitions of the words. The term “special clothing” also must be
interpreted in a manner compatible with Welfare and Institutions Code section 7232,
subdivision (a), which requires patients to wear clothing that enables them “to be readily
identified.” In addition, it must be interpreted in context—that is, in harmony with the
other provisions of AD 618 that limit the type of clothing allowed.
In light of Welfare and Institutions Code section 7232, subdivision (a), it is
reasonable to interpret “special clothing” to exclude clothing that would make it more
difficult to “readily identif[y]” patients. As applied to the facts of this case, it is
reasonable to conclude that a person wearing a tuxedo might not be readily identifiable as
a patient. (In re Cabrera, supra, 55 Cal.4th at p. 690.) In addition, any interpretation
given to the term “special clothing” must be compatible with the provision in AD 618
13.
stating that normal security procedures will be in effect for all patients and visitors. This
provision about security justifies a narrower interpretation of what constitutes allowable
“special clothing.” Furthermore, the existence of this provision shows plaintiffs’
argument that there are no security restrictions on the style, color, or other aspects of
clothing worn by a patient at a wedding is not accurate.
Accordingly, we conclude that hospital officials acted reasonably and in
accordance with applicable legal principles when they interpreted AD 618’s reference to
“special clothing” in a manner that did not allow Oliver to wear a tuxedo during a
wedding conducted in the visiting room at Coalinga State Hospital. It follows that
plaintiffs will not be able to prove their contention that AD 618 “was intentionally and
deliberately misapplied by” defendants and other hospital personnel. Plaintiffs’ assertion
that AD 618 was “misapplied” is a conclusion of law because the proper interpretation
and application of AD 618 to the historical facts set forth in their third amended
complaint presents a question of law. (Communities for a Better Environment v. State
Water Resources Control Bd. (2003) 109 Cal. App. 4th 1089, 1104 [interpretation of a
regulation is a question of law]; see Dinuba, supra, 41 Cal.4th at p. 865 [a demurrer
admits properly pleaded facts, but does not admit the truth of contentions or conclusions
of law].) In accordance with the rules of law set forth in In re Cabrera, supra, 55 Cal. 4th
690, that question of law must be answered in favor of the interpretation adopted by
defendants.
Therefore, plaintiffs’ “legal theory” (Dinuba, supra, 41 Cal.4th at p. 870) that
defendants misinterpreted the administrative directives must be rejected because there
was no misinterpretation. Consequently, plaintiffs have failed to state a statutory or
constitutional cause of action based on that legal theory.5
5 Plaintiffs’ claim that the administration committed a legal wrong by changing its
interpretation of the administrative directives is addressed in part III.C, post. (See
14.
III. EQUAL PROTECTION CLAIM
A. Plaintiffs’ Allegations of Discrimination
Plaintiffs contend “they were denied the right to practice a religious custom of
marriage, which is to dress in the sort of clothing of the Buddhist religious beliefs toward
the marriage custom.” (Boldface and fn. omitted.) They allege that there have been other
patients who were allowed to marry dressed in Muslim garb, Native-American garb, and
suits, which was the type of clothing they chose. Plaintiffs allege defendants deliberately
misapplied AD 618 and AD 738 “in order to prevent them from performing a Buddhist
wedding ceremony at the facility.” Plaintiffs also alleged defendants have
“discriminate[d] against the wearing of a tuxedo at a wedding.” They refer to a “change
in policy towards Plaintiffs’ Buddhist wedding ceremony,” stating “it certainly stinks of
the odor of ‘identifiable class discrimination’ with the intention of discouraging others
who wish to wed.” (Boldface omitted.)
We interpret these allegations as an attempt to state an equal protection claim on
the grounds that hospital officials treated plaintiffs differently (i.e., discriminated against
them) because of their religious beliefs.
B. Elements of Equal Protection Claim
Both the federal and state constitutions include equal protection guarantees. “No
State shall … deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
(U.S. Const., 14th Amend., § 1.) Similarly, article I, section 7, subdivision (a) of the
California Constitution provides: “A person may not be … denied equal protection of the
laws .…” The equal protection clause has been summarized as “essentially a direction
that all persons similarly situated should be treated alike.” (Cleburne v. Cleburne Living
Center, Inc. (1985) 473 U.S. 432, 439.)
generally, 3 Admin. L. & Prac. (3d ed. 2016) § 10:26[3][f] [agency’s interpretations of its
own rules and consistency with past policies].)
15.
The elements of an equal protection claim have been addressed by the California
Supreme Court:
“‘The first prerequisite to a meritorious claim under the equal protection
clause is a showing that the state has adopted a classification that affects
two or more similarly situated groups in an unequal manner.’ [Citations.]
This initial inquiry is not whether persons are similarly situated for all
purposes, but ‘whether they are similarly situated for purposes of the law
challenged.’ [Citation.]” (Cooley v. Superior Court (2002) 29 Cal. 4th 228,
253.)
When a showing has been made that two similarly situated groups were subject to
disparate treatment, the next element of a meritorious equal protection claim relates to
whether the government had a sufficient reason for distinguishing between the two
groups. (In re Brian J. (2007) 150 Cal. App. 4th 97, 125.)
C. Similarly Situated and Unequal Treatment
Plaintiffs’ allegations identify themselves as practicing the Buddhist religion,
which the United States Supreme Court has recognized as a religion protected by the First
and Fourteenth Amendments. (Cruz v. Beto (1972) 405 U.S. 319, 322.) Therefore, we
conclude that plaintiffs have alleged they are members of a protected class for purposes
of the equal protection clause.
Next, we consider whether plaintiffs have adequately alleged that they were
treated in an unequal manner compared to other similarly situated groups. Plaintiffs
attempt to state this part of an equal protection claim by alleging in paragraph 5 of their
third amended complaint that there have been other patients allowed to marry dressed in
Muslim garb, Native-American garb or other types of clothing they chose. The
deficiency in this allegation relates to timing. It refers to past practices and does not
address whether AD 618 currently is being applied differently to members of different
religious groups. The deficiency is not cured by referring to the three written statements
attached as exhibits to plaintiffs’ first amended complaint. Those statements from other
patients refer to weddings that occurred in 2008 and 2009. Consequently, they do not
16.
establish that Buddhists were treated differently back then or, more importantly for
plaintiffs, establish that Buddhists are being treated differently now.
Furthermore, plaintiffs have not demonstrated that they could amend their
complaint to allege that Buddhists currently are being treated differently in terms of the
clothing they are permitted to wear at wedding ceremonies conducted at Coalinga State
Hospital. Indeed, plaintiffs have addressed the timing of the alleged differences in
DHS’s approach to wedding attire by referring to a change in policy. Plaintiffs alleged
that there has been a “change in policy towards [their] Buddhist wedding ceremony,” but
have failed to allege facts showing the change in policy was directed at Buddhists and is
not applied to other religious groups. Therefore, plaintiffs’ allegations fail to set forth
sufficient facts to establish that similarly situated groups were treated in an unequal
manner. In short, being similarly situated involves a timing aspect, and Buddhists in
2012 cannot be compared to other groups in 2008 and 2009 because the timeframes are
dissimilar.
Plaintiffs’ third amended complaint asserts that defendants’ change in the policy
regarding appropriate wedding attire was itself a repudiation of constitutional rights and
was the moving force of the constitutional violation. This assertion implies that
defendants violated the equal protection clause by changing the way AD 618 was
interpreted and applied.
First, changes in the way administrative regulations and directives are interpreted
and applied are not automatically void or illegal. Instead, when an agency’s
interpretation of its own regulation or directive conflicts with prior interpretations, that
inconsistency is a factor relevant to how much deference courts give to the agency’s
current interpretation. (Christopher v. SmithKline Beecham Corp. (2012) ___U.S. ___,
___ [132 S. Ct. 2156, 2166]; see 3 Admin. L. & Prac., supra, § 10:26 [interpretations and
consistency with past policies].) Second, the change in the way defendants are applying
AD 618 and AD 738 to weddings performed in the visiting room is entitled to deference
17.
under the circumstances of this case because the change is consistent with the Welfare
and Institutions Code section 7232, subdivision (a) and section 890 of title 9 of the
California Code of Regulations. In contrast, the earlier, more relaxed approach to the
clothing requirements does not appear to have complied with the statute or the regulation.
Consequently, we conclude the current interpretation is entitled to deference and is
correct under the not-clearly-unreasonable standard described in In re Cabrera, supra, 55
Cal.4th at page 690.6
As a result, plaintiffs’ allegation about a change in policy does not state an equal
protection claim. So long as a change is applied equally across all groups of patients, no
violation of the right to equal protection has occurred. In this case, plaintiffs have not
alleged the change of policy has been unequally applied. For example, they have not
argued that they can amend to allege that the current interpretation is being applied to
some groups and not to others.
To summarize, plaintiffs have not alleged facts sufficient to state a cause of action
for a violation of equal protection. In addition, they have not carried their burden of
demonstrating that they could amend to cure the defects in their allegations.
IV. FIRST AMENDMENT
A. Legal Principles
Inmates retain those First Amendment rights that are not inconsistent with
legitimate penological objectives. (Pell v. Procunier (1974) 417 U.S. 817, 822.) A
plaintiff attempting to state a First Amendment claim based on a violation of the free
6 During oral argument, Oliver argued that there must be a formal change in the
administrative directives that explicitly recognizes the new way the administration is
treating requests to wear special clothing at wedding ceremonies in the visiting room.
We reject this argument because administrative agencies are allowed to change the way
they interpret and apply a regulation even though the text of the regulation remains the
same. (See Christopher v. SmithKline Beecham Corp., supra, ___U.S. ___, ___ [132
S. Ct. 2156, 2166].)
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exercise of religion must allege a defendant (1) burdened the practice of plaintiff’s
religion by preventing him or her from engaging in a sincerely held religious belief and
(2) did so without any justification reasonably related to legitimate penological interests.
(Shakur v. Schriro (9th Cir. 2008) 514 F.3d 878, 884.)
In Turner v. Safley (1987) 482 U.S. 78 (Turner), the United States Supreme Court
set forth four factors to be balanced in determining whether a prison regulation is
reasonably related to legitimate penological interests. Those factors are (1) whether there
was a valid, rational connection between the prison regulation and the legitimate
governmental interest put forward to justify it; (2) whether an alternative means of
exercising the fundamental right remained open to the prisoner; (3) how accommodating
the asserted constitutional right would impact the guards and other inmates, and the
allocation of prison resources generally; and (4) whether there is an absence of ready
alternatives to the regulation in question. (Turner, supra, 482 U.S. at pp. 89-91; Bailey v.
Loggins (1982) 32 Cal. 3d 907, 920; see Boles v. Neet (10th Cir. 2007) 486 F.3d 1177,
1182-1183 [collecting cases where constitutional challenges to prison regulations
restricting use of religious clothing were denied based on concern the clothing could be
used to smuggle contraband].) Plaintiffs acknowledge that the Turner test extends
beyond the prison context and applies to individuals who have been detained under the
SVPA.
B. Analysis
1. Sincerely Held Religious Belief
The trial court concluded plaintiffs were estopped from alleging that wearing a
tuxedo during a wedding ceremony was a sincerely held part of plaintiffs’ Buddhist
beliefs. On appeal, defendants argue the trial court properly applied the estoppel
doctrine.
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Plaintiffs appear to be asserting two religious beliefs. The broader of the two
beliefs involves the wedding ceremony and marriage. Plaintiffs’ pleading asserts there
“is a constitutional right to have a wedding ceremony within the facility; regardless of the
type of clothing the couple chose to wear at the wedding.” We conclude plaintiffs have
alleged sufficient facts to establish that a wedding ceremony and marriage is an exercise
of religion. (See Turner, supra, 482, U.S. at p. 96 [“many religions recognize marriage
as having a spiritual significance”]; see also, In re Marriage Cases (2008) 43 Cal. 4th
757, 818, 829 [right to marry is a protected liberty interest].)
The narrower religious belief involves clothing and plaintiffs’ allegation that a
tuxedo is a religious outfit for purposes of a Buddhist wedding ceremony. We need not
address whether wearing a tuxedo at a wedding is a belief that is both religious and
sincerely held by plaintiffs because the second element of a free-exercise-of-religion
claim is missing.
2. Reasonable Relationship to Legitimate Penological Interests
Defendants contend the clothing requirements set forth in AD 618 and AD 738 are
reasonably related to the legitimate penological interest of providing secure confinement
for detainees under the SVPA in order to protect the public. We agree.
DSH has a legitimate penological interest in requiring detainees “to wear only
state-issued clothing.” (AD 738, pt. V.C.1.) Wearing such clothing “enables these
patients to be readily identified.” (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 7232, subd. (a).) Clothing that
enables patients to be readily identified is rationally related to maintaining order and
preventing escape from detention.
Plaintiffs contend there are ready alternatives available to defendants, such as
requiring patients to display their identification cards, which is the procedure used in the
patient dining room when patients request their meals. We conclude that the alternative
of wearing a patient identification card is not a ready alternative to a clothing
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requirement. An identification card could be discarded or placed in a tuxedo pocket and,
as a result, the card would not provide an easily visible way of distinguishing the tuxedo-
wearing patient from a visitor. Consequently, we conclude plaintiffs have failed to allege
facts that, if true, would establish there is no reasonable relationship between the clothing
requirement and DHS’s legitimate interest in having patients readily identifiable.
As to plaintiffs’ claim that defendants have unreasonably burdened their
constitutional right to have a wedding ceremony within the facility, plaintiffs have not
alleged that they have been prevented from getting married with Oliver wearing state-
issued clothing. Therefore, an alternative way to participate in a ceremony and become
married is available to plaintiffs. Consequently, plaintiffs have not alleged enough facts
to show that defendants have burdened the practice of their religion by preventing them
from engaging in a wedding ceremony. In addition, they have not shown that they are
able to amend to cure this deficiency.
V. DUE PROCESS
The request for relief in plaintiffs’ third amended complaint seek a declaratory
judgment stating that defendants or their agents (1) caused plaintiffs to “suffer a violation
of their due process rights according to the Equal Protection Clause” and (2) “denied
Plaintiffs the de minimis procedural due process rights guaranteed under Article I, section
17, of California’s Constitution, and the First Amendment.” Despite these references to
due process, none of the four enumerated causes of action in plaintiff’s third amended
complaint explicitly states it is alleging a due process violation. Furthermore, plaintiffs’
opening appellate brief does not include a section arguing that they have alleged
sufficient facts to state a due process violation. Instead, plaintiffs argue that they have
alleged (1) a violation of the First Amendment, (2) a violation of the equal protection
clause, (3) a claim under 42 United States Code section 1983, and (4) a claim under the
RLUIPA.
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Based on the foregoing, we conclude that plaintiffs have abandoned due process as
a separate legal theory or cause of action. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(b) [each
brief must state each point under a heading or subheading].) Accordingly, we will not
discuss the arguments in defendants’ appellate brief as to why plaintiffs have failed to
allege sufficient facts to state a due process claim.
VI. STATUTORY CLAIMS
A. RLUIPA
The RLUIPA is a federal statute that prohibits a government from imposing a
substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person confined to an institution, unless
the government demonstrates that the burden imposed furthers a compelling
governmental interest, and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling
governmental interest. (42 U.S.C. § 2000cc-1, subd. (a); see 49 Cal.Jur.3d (2010) Penal
and Correctional Institutions, § 112, p. 193.) The RLUIPA does not give the
accommodation of religious observances priority over an institution’s need to maintain
order and safety. (Ibid.; see Cutter v. Wilkinson (2005) 544 U.S. 709, 722.)
Plaintiffs may pursue a RLUIPA claim in state court. State court jurisdiction is
compatible with federal interests and, therefore, state courts have concurrent jurisdiction
over RLUIPA causes of action. (In re Garcia (2012) 202 Cal. App. 4th 892, 901 [writ of
habeas corpus issued directing institution to permit petitioner to participate in its existing
kosher meals program].)
Plaintiffs bear the initial burden of showing (1) that they seek to engage in an
exercise of religion, and (2) that the challenged governmental decision or policy
substantially burdens that exercise of religion. (In re Garcia, supra, 202 Cal.App.4th at
p. 901; see Brown, Ensuring the Application of RFRA and RLUIPA in Pro Se Prisoner
Litigation (2014) 41 Ohio N.U. L. Rev. 29, 32 [by design, elements necessary to state a
claim under RLUIPA are similar to those of a free exercise claim].) Here, plaintiffs’
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allegations are sufficient to show that a wedding ceremony or marriage is an exercise of
religion. (See pt. IV.B.1, ante.) Furthermore, despite the absence of specific allegations
of fact on the subject, we will assume for purposes of discussion that Oliver’s wearing of
a tuxedo during the wedding amounts to engaging in a religious belief. (Cf. Smith v.
Thompson (E.D.Ky. 2009) 638 F. Supp. 2d 754, 758 [evidence did not establish a central
role for a wedding band in the exercise of inmate’s religion; court denied request for
preliminary injunction under RLUIPA to enjoin policy of prohibiting inmates from
wearing wedding band with stones or gems].)
Based on the foregoing principles and assumption, the question presented is
whether the implementation of AD 618 and AD 738 “substantially burdened” the
exercise of religion. (See Turner, supra, 482 U.S. at p. 95 [“right to marry, like many
other rights, is subject to substantial restrictions as a result of incarceration”].)
One example of a case addressing whether an institution’s policy imposed a
substantial burden on religious beliefs involving marriage is Fuller v. Cate (9th Cir. 2012)
481 Fed.Appx. 413. In that case, the Ninth Circuit concluded that the inmate had failed
to allege a cause of action under RLUIPA. (Fuller v. Cate, supra, 481 Fed.Appx. 413.)
The record showed that the prison’s prohibition of conjugal visits for inmates serving life
sentences without parole did not substantially burden the inmate’s ability to enter into a
valid Islamic marriage. (Ibid.)
In this case, plaintiffs have not alleged facts showing that the clothing directive
would require them to abandon the wedding ceremony. (See Warsoldier v. Woodford
(9th Cir. 2005) 418 F.3d 989, 994 [policy imposes a substantial burden if it puts
significant pressure on inmate to abandon religious beliefs].) Furthermore, the materials
addressing Buddhist practices that are included in the record of this case do not show that
preventing Oliver from wearing a Buddhist or regular tuxedo during the wedding
ceremony imposes a substantial burden on any Buddhist religious belief about wedding
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attire. For example, the materials do not state that a tuxedo is the required wedding attire
for the bridegroom in a Buddhist ceremony.
Therefore, we conclude that plaintiffs have failed to allege a violation of the
RLUIPA.
B. Civil Rights
Plaintiffs’ other statutory claims are based on 42 United States Code section 1983,
which authorizes civil actions to redress deprivations of any rights “secured by the
Constitution and laws.” In this case, plaintiffs have not adequately alleged a violation of
a constitutional right. As a result, they have not stated a cause of action under 42 United
States Code section 1983 and we need not address whether other elements of such a
claim are missing.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed. The parties shall bear their own costs on appeal.
Respondents’ motion to strike portions of appellants’ appendices is denied.
_____________________
FRANSON, J.
WE CONCUR:
_____________________
LEVY, Acting P.J.
_____________________
DETJEN, J.
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