Title: Durant v. State

State: michigan

Issuer: Michigan Supreme Court

Document:

563 N.W.2d 646 (1997)
Donald DURANT, et al., Plaintiffs-Appellees, Cross-Appellants,
v.
STATE of Michigan, et al., Defendants-Appellants, Cross-Appellees.
Gerald SCHMIDT, et al., Plaintiffs-Appellees, Cross-Appellants,
v.
STATE of Michigan, et al., Defendants-Appellants, Cross-Appellees,
And Consolidated Cases.
Docket Nos. 104458-104492, COA Nos. Durant-161321, Schmidt-158968 and Consolidated-93547 to 93577, 93658 and 125691.

Supreme Court of Michigan.
June 10, 1997.
*647 This Court holds that special education and special education transportation are activities or services required by state law within the meaning of Const 1963, art 9, § 29 and that defendants are required to maintain the state financed proportion of the necessary costs of special education and special education transportation. The remedy, if any, remains under consideration. This Court AFFIRMS that portion of the judgment of the Court of Appeals awarding plaintiffs their costs, including attorney fees.
We DIRECT the parties to file briefs on the following issues:
(1) Is the remedy for a violation of Const 1963, art 9, § 29 limited to declaratory judgment? Cf. Fort Zumwalt School District v. State of Missouri, 896 S.W.2d 918 (Mo.1995).
(2) If a remedy should include monetary relief:
On any of these issues, the parties may brief other alternative methods to answer the questions posed.
Plaintiffs and defendants shall file their briefs no later than 21 days after the date of the order. They may file a reply brief within 7 days of the filing of their opponents' brief. There shall be no extensions.
All other issues remain under consideration.
The opinion and judgment of the Court will follow the receipt of the supplemental briefs.