UNPUBLISHED

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT

No. 23-1214

MELODY RODGERS,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

BRANDEE RITSEMA; LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; 

RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; 

ELIZABETH ANDREWS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; KATHRINE 

THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; MALACHI CHAPMAN; TIJANA 

VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; 

KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; 

JESSICA KIRBY,

Plaintiffs, 

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE 

COOPER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE, 

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

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2

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1162

BRANDEE RITSEMA,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

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3

BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; 

DANIEL BLUE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON, 

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE 

COOPER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

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4

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1216

EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL,

Plaintiffs - Appellants,

and

BRANDEE RITSEMA; LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; 

RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; 

ELIZABETH ANDREWS; MELODY RODGERS; JESSICA KIRBY; DANIEL 

BLUE; BRENDA BLUE; KATHRINE THOMAS; MALACHI CHAPMAN; 

TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia 

Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA 

ANDERSON, 

Plaintiffs, 

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE 

COOPER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

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5

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1219

JESSICA KIRBY,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

BRANDEE RITSEMA; LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; 

RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; 

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6

ELIZABETH ANDREWS; MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM 

O’DELL; MALACHI CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; 

KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; 

SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; KATHRINE THOMAS; 

BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE,

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE 

COOPER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

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7

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1248

KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,

Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; BRANDEE RITSEMA; KATHRINE THOMAS; 

BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON,

Plaintiffs, 

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE 

COOPER, 

Intervenors/Plaintiffs, 

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

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8

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1250

LORA BYERS,

Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

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9

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; BRANDEE RITSEMA; KATHRINE THOMAS; 

BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON,

Plaintiffs, 

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; OCERINE COOPER; 

KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

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10

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1253

OCERINE COOPER,

Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; BRANDEE RITSEMA; KATHRINE THOMAS; 

BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON,

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; 

KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 10 of 42
11

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1256

KATHRINE THOMAS,

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 11 of 42
12

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; BRANDEE RITSEMA; BRENDA BLUE; 

DANIEL BLUE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON,

Plaintiffs, 

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE 

COOPER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs, 

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 12 of 42
13

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1257

TIJANA VIDANOVIC,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; 

KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; 

JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; 

BRANDEE RITSEMA, 

Plaintiffs, 

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS, 

Intervenors/Plaintiffs, 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 13 of 42
14

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1258

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 14 of 42
15

RENESHA TOMLIN,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; 

KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; 

JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; 

BRANDEE RITSEMA, 

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS, 

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 15 of 42
16

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1260

SALLY BORGHESE,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; CHRISTINA 

ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; 

DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA, 

Plaintiffs, 

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS, 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 16 of 42
17

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 17 of 42
18

No. 23-1261

KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA 

ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; 

DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA,

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 18 of 42
19

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1264

MALACHI CHAPMAN,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; TIJANA 

VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; 

KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; 

JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; 

BRANDEE RITSEMA,

Plaintiffs, 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 19 of 42
20

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS, 

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 20 of 42
21

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1265

KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KRISTEN CLARKHASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; 

KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE 

RITSEMA,

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS, 

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 21 of 42
22

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1266

BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE,

Plaintiffs - Appellants,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE 

THOMAS; BRANDEE RITSEMA,

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 22 of 42
23

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 23 of 42
24

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1268

CHRISTINA ANDERSON,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; 

DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA,

Plaintiffs, 

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 24 of 42
25

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1269

SARA YBARRA-JOHNSON,

Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 25 of 42
26

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE 

THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA; ALAN 

MEDDOWS,

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS; KARLA JOHNSON,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 26 of 42
27

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1270

KARLA JOHNSON,

Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE 

THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA; ALAN 

MEDDOWS,

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS; SARA YBARRA-JOHNSON,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 27 of 42
28

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1271

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS,

Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 28 of 42
29

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE 

THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA; ALAN 

MEDDOWS,

Plaintiffs,

and

AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; OCERINE COOPER; LORA 

BYERS; KARLA JOHNSON; SARA YBARRA-JOHNSON,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 29 of 42
30

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1272

ALAN MEDDOWS,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE 

THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA,

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS; KARLA JOHNSON; SARA YBARRAJOHNSON,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 30 of 42
31

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1273

APRIL FOX,

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 31 of 42
32

Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; 

KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE 

RITSEMA,

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS; KARLA JOHNSON; SARA YBARRAJOHNSON,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 32 of 42
33

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1283

TERESA GOIN,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; 

KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE 

RITSEMA,

Plaintiffs,

and

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 33 of 42
34

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 34 of 42
35

No. 23-1284

GERRI F. HOOD,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; 

KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE 

RITSEMA,

Plaintiffs, 

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 35 of 42
36

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1285

BARBARA MAST,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; 

KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE 

RITSEMA, 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 36 of 42
37

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 37 of 42
38

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1286

LATASHA WOOLRIDGE,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA 

CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; 

MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI 

CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA 

HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY 

BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; 

KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE 

RITSEMA,

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 38 of 42
39

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

No. 23-1287

LAURIE REYNOLDS,

Plaintiff - Appellant,

and

CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA CODY; RUSS E. CODY; 

KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; MELODY RODGERS; EMILY 

O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 39 of 42
40

RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN 

CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA 

ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; 

DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA,

Plaintiffs,

and

BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; 

OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,

Intervenors/Plaintiffs,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States 

Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER 

BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK 

B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director 

of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES, 

United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family 

Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former 

Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California; 

GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of 

Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE 

LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of 

Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of 

Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of 

Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA 

KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York; 

GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of 

Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN 

PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the 

Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President 

of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC., 

a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN 

COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY 

COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE 

COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY 

GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY 

KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY 

USCA4 Appeal: 23-1260 Doc: 12 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 40 of 42
41

MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY 

MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW 

YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO; 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS; 

BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY 

TENNESSEE,

Defendants - Appellees.

Appeals from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, at 

Wilmington. Louise W. Flanagan, District Judge. (7:22-cv-00178-FL)

Submitted: July 25, 2023 Decided: July 27, 2023

Before WYNN and HEYTENS, Circuit Judges, and FLOYD, Senior Circuit Judge.

Dismissed by unpublished per curiam opinion.

Melody Rodgers; Brandee Ritsema; Emily O’Dell; William O’Dell; Jessica Kirby; 

Kimberly Vifinkle; Lora Byers; Ocerine Cooper; Kathrine Thomas; Tijana Vidanovic; 

Renesha Tomlin; Sally Borghese; Kristen Clark-Hassell; Malachi Chapman; Keshia 

Holliman; Brenda Blue; Daniel Blue; Christina Anderson; Sara Elizabeth Ybarra Johnson; 

Karla Johnson; Beatrice Rivera; Alan Meddows; April Fox; Teresa Goin; Gerri F. Hood; 

Barbara Mast; Latasha Woolridge; Laurie Reynolds, Appellants Pro Se. 

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

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42

PER CURIAM:

In these consolidated appeals, Appellants seek to appeal the district court’s orders 

dismissing some appellants as plaintiffs, denying others’ motions to intervene as plaintiffs, 

and denying reconsideration of those orders. This court may exercise jurisdiction only over 

final orders, 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and certain interlocutory and collateral orders, 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1292; Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b); Cohen v. Beneficial Indus. Loan Corp., 337 U.S. 541, 545-

46 (1949). The orders Appellants seek to appeal are neither final orders nor appealable 

interlocutory or collateral orders. Accordingly, we dismiss the appeals for lack of 

jurisdiction and deny as moot the pending motions for leave to file an amicus curiae brief,

to expedite the decision, and to extend filing time. We dispense with oral argument because 

the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court 

and argument would not aid the decisional process.

DISMISSED

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