Opinion ID: 2238109
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Violation of Federal Social Security Act

Text: The juvenile court found that to the extent the LCC Law forces children to remain in inappropriate placements, the law violates Title IV-B and Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 622 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. Section 671, et seq., and is void. This portion of appellees' claim for relief was brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. They also made a claim for attorneys' fees which are made available to the prevailing party in such a civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1988. The juvenile court found that appellees were the prevailing parties, awarded attorneys' fees to them, and set a hearing to determine the amount of that award. Appellant argues that the juvenile court's ruling was erroneous because Titles IV-B and IV-E do not create rights enforceable by a § 1983 action and, in the alternative, that if such rights do exist under the Social Security Act, compliance with the LCC statute does not violate them. We do not address appellant's allegations of error, however, because we find that the juvenile court committed a much more fundamental error. A claim for relief under § 1983 need allege only that some person acting under color of state law has deprived the claimant of a federal right. Green v. Maraio, 722 F.2d 1013, 1016 (2d Cir.1983) (citing Gomez v. Toledo, 446 U.S. 635, 100 S.Ct. 1920, 64 L.Ed.2d 572 (1980)). Appellees' claims for relief, however, do not allege that any person or entity committed any act which violated the federal rights to which they claim entitlement under the Social Security Act. Appellant pointed out this pleading error in its answer. The juvenile court in its Conclusion of Law # 17 found that [t]he Department [of Public Welfare] is a `person' for purposes of 42 U.S.C. Section 1983. This finding constitutes reversible error on this issue. Even a liberal interpretation of a civil rights complaint may not supply an essential element of a § 1983 claim which was not initially pled. Ivey v. Board of Regents, 673 F.2d 266 (9th Cir.1982). The juvenile court should have granted appellant's cross-motion for summary judgment as to this issue on this basis. We note further that the brief submitted on behalf of the class represented by appellee Tina T. does not address the arguments made by appellant, but stress[es] that the only significance of whether a § 1983 action can be brought here is on the issue of attorneys' fees... . Inasmuch as this action was brought by the Juvenile Court Public Defender, counsel now waives any fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This all but concedes that the alleged violation of the Social Security Act is not a valid basis on which to hold the LCC statute void.