Washington v. Division of Welfare and Supportive Services - Nevada, Cambridge ( 2024 )

1 2 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 3 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 4 * * * 5 Melvin Washington, Case No. 2:23-cv-01035-ART-DJA 6 Plaintiff, 7 Order v. 8 Division of Welfare and Supportive Services – 9 Nevada, Cambridge, 10 Defendant. 11 12 Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 Plaintiff is proceeding in this action pro se and has requested 13 authority to proceed in forma pauperis. (ECF No. 9). Plaintiff also submitted a complaint. (ECF 14 No. 1-1). Because the Court finds that Plaintiff’s application is complete, it grants the application 15 to proceed in forma pauperis. The Court also screens Plaintiff’s complaint and allows his 16 Americans with Disabilities Act claim to proceed against Defendant. 17 I. In forma pauperis application. 18 Plaintiff filed the affidavit required by § 1915(a). (ECF No. 9). Plaintiff has shown an 19 inability to prepay fees and costs or give security for them. Accordingly, the request to proceed 20 in forma pauperis will be granted under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). The Court will now review 21 Plaintiff’s complaint. 22 II. Legal standard for screening. 23 Upon granting an application to proceed in forma pauperis, courts additionally screen the 24 complaint under § 1915(e). Federal courts are given the authority to dismiss a case if the action is 25 legally “frivolous or malicious,” fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks 26 monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). 27 When a court dismisses a complaint under § 1915, the plaintiff should be given leave to amend 1 complaint that the deficiencies could not be cured by amendment. See Cato v. United States, 70 2 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir. 1995). 3 Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides for dismissal of a 4 complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Review under Rule 5 12(b)(6) is essentially a ruling on a question of law. See Chappel v. Lab. Corp. of Am., 232 F.3d 6 719, 723 (9th Cir. 2000). A properly pled complaint must provide a short and plain statement of 7 the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief. Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2); Bell Atlantic Corp. 8 v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). Although Rule 8 does not require detailed factual 9 allegations, it demands “more than labels and conclusions” or a “formulaic recitation of the 10 elements of a cause of action.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Papasan v. 11 Allain, 478 U.S. 265, 286 (1986)). The court must accept as true all well-pled factual allegations 12 contained in the complaint, but the same requirement does not apply to legal conclusions. Iqbal, 13 556 U.S. at 679. Mere recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported only by conclusory 14 allegations, do not suffice. Id. at 678. Where the claims in the complaint have not crossed the 15 line from conceivable to plausible, the complaint should be dismissed. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. 16 Allegations of a pro se complaint are held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings 17 drafted by lawyers. Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 342 & n.7 (9th Cir. 2010) (finding that liberal 18 construction of pro se pleadings is required after Twombly and Iqbal). 19 Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and possess only that power authorized by 20 the Constitution and statute. See Rasul v. Bush, 542 U.S. 466, 489 (2004). Under 28 U.S.C. 21 § 1331, federal courts have original jurisdiction over “all civil actions arising under the 22 Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States.” Cases “arise under” federal law either when 23 federal law creates the cause of action or where the vindication of a right under state law 24 necessarily turns on the construction of federal law. Republican Party of Guam v. Gutierrez, 277 25 F.3d 1086, 1088-89 (9th Cir. 2002). Whether federal-question jurisdiction exists is based on the 26 “well-pleaded complaint rule,” which provides that “federal jurisdiction exists only when a 27 federal question is presented on the face of the plaintiff’s properly pleaded complaint.” 1 district courts have original jurisdiction over civil actions in diversity cases “where the matter in 2 controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000” and where the matter is between “citizens of 3 different states.” Generally speaking, diversity jurisdiction exists only where there is “complete 4 diversity” among the parties; each of the plaintiffs must be a citizen of a different state than each 5 of the defendants. Caterpillar Inc. v. Lewis, 519 U.S. 61, 68 (1996). 6 III. Screening the complaint. 7 After moving to reopen his case, Plaintiff filed a complaint. (ECF No. 6). Because this is 8 the most recent complaint on the docket, the Court screens it. In his complaint, Plaintiff sues the 9 Division of Welfare and Supportive Services – Nevada Cambridge Department (“DWSS”) for 10 damages, alleging discrimination in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act 11 (“ADA”). (ECF No. 6). DWSS is a division of the Nevada Department of Health and Human 12 Services. See Department of Health and Human Services Division of Welfare and Supportive 13 Services, NV.GOV, https://dwss.nv.gov/ (last visited Aug. 22, 2024). 14 Plaintiff alleges that he is disabled because he is legally blind and is aided by a service 15 dog. (Id. at 2). On March 9, 2022, Plaintiff entered the DWSS with his service dog to wait in 16 line to receive food stamps. (Id.). However, one of the security guards told Plaintiff that he could 17 not stand in line with his dog. (Id.). Plaintiff explained that his dog is a service animal and not a 18 pet, but the security guard was already directing other customers to proceed ahead of Plaintiff in 19 line. (Id.). The security guard then asked Plaintiff to provide paperwork or a badge for his 20 service dog. (Id.). Plaintiff informed the security guard of his rights under the ADA, but the 21 security guard interrupted him and joked in front of others: “[y]ou sure are looking at me just fine 22 to be so blind.” (Id. at 2-3). Plaintiff alleges that he was forced to explain his disability in 23 violation of his rights. (Id.). Although Plaintiff was eventually allowed inside, the security guard 24 informed him that if his dog barked—which his dog is trained to do in specific situations— 25 Plaintiff would be escorted out of the building. (Id.). 26 In 1990, Congress enacted the ADA to eliminate the discrimination that persons with 27 disabilities faced in essential facets of everyday life. 42 U.S.C. § 12101. Title II of the ADA 1 purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or States or local government.” 42 U.S.C. 2 §§ 12132, 12131(1)(B). To prove that a public entity violated Title II of the ADA, a plaintiff 3 must show: (1) he is a qualified individual with a disability; (2) he was either excluded from 4 participation in or denied the benefits of a public entity’s services, programs, or activities, or was 5 otherwise discriminated against by the public entity; and (3) such exclusion, denial of benefits, or 6 discrimination was by reason of his disability. Duvall v. County of Kitsap, 260 F.3d 1124, 1135 7 (9th Cir. 2001). 8 Congress gave the Attorney General the responsibility to promulgate regulations 9 implementing the provisions of Title II of the ADA. 42 U.S.C. § 12134(a). In doing so, the 10 Department of Justice created regulations about public entities’ policies regarding service 11 animals. 28 C.F.R. § 35.136. Those regulations provide that: 12 A public entity shall not ask about the nature or extent of a person’s disability, but may make two inquiries to determine whether an 13 animal qualifies as a service animal. A public entity may ask if the 14 animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. A public entity shall not require 15 documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal. 16 17 28 C.F.R. § 35.136(f). 18 Here, for the purposes of screening, Plaintiff has sufficiently alleged discrimination under 19 Title II of the ADA. Plaintiff has alleged that he has a disability—blindness—and that he was 20 excluded—albeit briefly—from accessing DWSS to obtain food stamps. Plaintiff explains that 21 this exclusion was because of his disability, which required him to have a service dog. He adds 22 that DWSS’ security guard violated the ADA regulations that prohibit a public entity from asking 23 about the nature and extent of a person’s disability and requiring documentation for a service 24 animal. The Court will thus permit Plaintiff’s ADA discrimination claim to proceed against 25 DWSS. 26 27 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma 1 Plaintiff is permitted to maintain this action to conclusion without the necessity of prepayment of 2 any additional fees or costs or the giving of a security therefor. This order granting leave to 3 proceed in forma pauperis shall not extend to the issuance and/or service of subpoenas at 4 government expense. 5 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s claim for discrimination in violation of 6 Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act shall proceed against Defendant Division of 7 Welfare and Supportive Services – Nevada, Cambridge. 8 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court is kindly directed to issue 9 summons to Division of Welfare and Supportive Services – Nevada, Cambridge. The Clerk of 10 Court is kindly directed to deliver two copies1 of the summons and two copies of the complaint 11 (ECF No. 6) to the U.S. Marshals Service (“USMS”) for service.2 12 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court is kindly directed to send Plaintiff 13 two copies of Form USM-285. 3 14 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff must complete the USM-285 forms for the 15 Defendant and provide addresses where the Defendant can be served with process. Once 16 completed, Plaintiff must provide the completed USM-285 forms to the USMS. Plaintiff shall 17 have until September 23, 2024 to furnish the USMS with the required forms. 18 19 20 1 The Court directs two copies of these forms to be sent to the USMS because, under Nevada Revised Statute 41.031 and Nevada Rule of Civil Procedure 4.2(d), in actions against the State of 21 Nevada, the summons and a copy of the complaint must be served upon: (1) the Attorney General or a person designated by the Attorney General to receive service of process at the Office of the 22 Attorney General in Carson City; and (2) the person serving in the office of administrative head 23 of the named public entity, or an agent designated by the administrative head to receive service of process. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(j)(2) (providing that a plaintiff may serve a state by either 24 delivering a copy of the summons and complaint to the state’s chief executive officer or by serving a copy of each in the manner prescribed by that state’s laws). Because Nevada requires 25 two forms of service, the Court will send two copies of the summons and complaint to the USMS. 26 2 Because Plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915, he is entitled to rely on the USMS for service. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(3). 27 3 The USM-285 form is also available at: https://www.usmarshals.gov/resources/forms/usm-285- 1 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that upon receipt of the issued summonses, the USM-285 2 forms, and the copies of the operative complaint—and pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil 3 Procedure 4(c)(3)—the USMS shall attempt service upon the Defendants. 4 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, within twenty days after receiving from the USMS a 5 copy of the form USM-285 showing whether service has been accomplished, Plaintiff must file a 6 notice with the Court identifying whether the Defendant was served. If Plaintiff wishes to have 7 service again attempted on Defendant, he must file a motion with the Court identifying the 8 Defendant and specifying a more detailed name and/or address for that Defendant or whether 9 some other manner of service should be attempted. 10 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff shall have until November 20, 2024 to 11 accomplish service on Defendant under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m). 12 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that from this point forward, Plaintiff shall serve upon the 13 Defendant, or, if appearance has been entered by counsel, upon the attorney(s), a copy of every 14 pleading, motion, or other document submitted for consideration by the Court. Plaintiff shall 15 include with the original papers submitted for filing a certificate stating the date that a true and 16 correct copy of the document was mailed to Defendant or counsel for Defendant. The Court may 17 disregard any paper received by a district judge or magistrate judge that has not been filed with 18 the Clerk, and any paper received by a district judge, magistrate judge, or the Clerk that fails to 19 include a certificate of service. 20 21 DATED: August 22, 2024 22 23 DANIEL J. ALBREGTS 24 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 25 26 27