Opinion ID: 793926
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: state immunity from suit

Text: 42 ADHS argues that it must be dismissed from this suit because it is an agency of the state, and thus enjoys Eleventh Amendment immunity from suits by private individuals. 9 The Eleventh Amendment protects states and state agencies from suit by private citizens. Doe v. Nebraska, 345 F.3d 593, 597 (8th Cir.2003). According to the doctrine of Ex Parte Young, 209 U.S. 123, 28 S.Ct. 441, 52 L.Ed. 714 (1908), however, state officials may still be sued for prospective injunctive relief without violating the Eleventh Amendment. Heartland Acad. Cmty. Church v. Waddle, 427 F.3d 525, 530 (8th Cir.2005). 43 In this case, ADHS has asserted Eleventh Amendment immunity as a branch of the state. ADHS therefore claims that the district court erred in allowing damages claims to go forward against it. The plaintiffs responded by stating that they were not suing ADHS for damages, only for prospective injunctive relief. ADHS argues that it is nonetheless entitled to immunity because only state officials, as opposed to state agencies, can be sued for prospective injunctive relief. While that is true, Allen, 5 F.3d at 1153 (affirming dismissal of a state agency on Eleventh Amendment grounds), the plaintiffs sued not only ADHS, but also Knickrehm and Jeffus in their official capacities as director of ADHS and director of the Division of Medical Services for ADHS, respectively. To the extent the plaintiffs' claims are against ADHS, they must be dismissed, but claims against the directors in their official capacity are not barred by the Eleventh Amendment.