Opinion ID: 2043827
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: This Appeal Will Be Considered Under the Public Interest Exception to the Mootness Doctrine.

Text: Before reaching the legal issues presented, we address the justiciability issue raised by the State. Prior to oral argument, the State moved for summary dismissal of this case on the basis that the case is moot. The State contended that because the screening testing had been accomplished and the separate juvenile court had dismissed the petition, there was no longer a case or controversy for this court to review. The Anayas opposed the State's motion and claimed that the matter remained reviewable because it fell within the public interest exception to the mootness doctrine. We agreed with the Anayas, and we denied the motion. [5,6] Although not a constitutional prerequisite for jurisdiction, an actual case or controversy is necessary for the exercise of judicial power. BryanLGH v. Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Servs., supra . A case becomes moot when the issues initially presented in the litigation cease to exist, when the litigants lack a legally cognizable interest in the outcome of litigation, or when the litigants seek to determine a question which does not rest upon existing facts or rights, in which the issues presented are no longer alive. Orchard Hill Neighborhood v. Orchard Hill Mercantile, 274 Neb. 154, 738 N.W.2d 820 (2007). [7,8] Although the Anayas concede that the underlying facts are moot, they nevertheless argue that the case should be reviewed because it falls within the public interest exception to the mootness doctrine. Under the public interest exception to the mootness doctrine, a court may review an otherwise moot case if it involves a matter affecting the public interest or when other rights or liabilities may be affected by its determination. Green v. Lore, 263 Neb. 496, 640 N.W.2d 673 (2002). When determining whether a case involves a matter of public interest, we consider (1) the public or private nature of the question presented, (2) the desirability of an authoritative adjudication for future guidance of public officials, and (3) the likelihood of future recurrence of the same or a similar problem. Id. After considering these factors, we conclude that this case meets this standard and merits review. [9] The validity of the newborn screening statutes and the proper statutory method of enforcing the statutes fall squarely within the public interest. Resolution of these issues involves the health and welfare of all children born in the state, an issue of paramount importance to the citizens of this state. Furthermore, this court's resolution of the constitutional and statutory issues in this case will provide guidance for state officials and the juvenile courts on the validity of the newborn screening statutes and the proper method of enforcing these statutes. Finally, the appellants in this case are of childbearing age, so the issues presented in this appeal are capable of recurring in the future, and in addition, similar cases are likely to arise.