Opinion ID: 549752
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Due Process and the Sec. 1983 Claim

Text: 24 Appellees argue that since J.C. was a legally competent adult who voluntarily chose to relinquish a constitutionally protected property right, the complaint does not state a claim under Sec. 1983 because there was neither state action nor a taking by the state defendants of J.C.'s property interest in his educational program. Since we found above that J.C.'s consent was ineffective because EHA procedures had not been followed, appellees' argument is without merit. 25 The district court apparently dismissed the due process claim on the ground that J.C. had been given all the process that was due in the administrative hearing conducted after the termination. Appellant makes a strong case that under Zinermon v. Birch, --- U.S. ----, 110 S.Ct. 975, 108 L.Ed.2d 100 (1990), due process requires adherence to EHA procedural safeguards before the state can terminate the educational placement of a mentally handicapped student even if the termination is initiated by the student. Appellant did not make this argument to the district court, since Zinermon was decided shortly before the district court's ruling. Although we recognize the persuasiveness of appellant's position, it is not necessary for us to consider it. We have already held that J.C. was entitled to the procedures set forth in the EHA. Since appellant asks for no more than that, there is no need to reach the constitutional question and we decline to do so. 26