Opinion ID: 164056
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act claim

Text: 21 Hammons argues, for the first time on appeal, that the district court should have construed his complaint to assert a claim under RLUIPA, given his pro se status in the proceedings below. 2 Pro se plaintiffs are required to allege the necessary underlying facts to support a claim under a particular legal theory. See Bellmon, 935 F.2d at 1110; Dunn v. White, 880 F.2d 1188, 1197 (10th Cir.1989). In this case, Hammons filed his complaint in February 2000 asserting that the 1999 Policy violated his religious freedom rights. RLUIPA was enacted in September 2000. The district court entered summary judgment for appellees in November 2001. At the summary judgment proceedings, evidence of appellees' proposed 2002 Policy was presented. Hammons, however, never raised a RLUIPA claim. Accordingly, appellees were never given an opportunity to defend against a RLUIPA claim. Neither party brought the newly enacted legislation to the attention of the district court. 22 Hammons argues on appeal that had the district court applied the new RLUIPA legislation to the facts of his case it would not have granted summary judgment in appellees' favor. Hammons argues that appellees' 2002 Policy, which prohibits in-cell possession and use of both prayer oils and of non-religious imitation designer colognes and perfumes, violates RLUIPA. 23 Given the unique facts and procedural posture of this case, the district court never considered whether Hammons' complaint stated a claim under RLUIPA. On remand, the district court should construe Hammons' pro se complaint in light of RLUIPA or consider whether to appoint counsel to assist Hammons in presenting the RLUIPA claim. Marshall v. Columbia Lea Regional Hosp., 345 F.3d 1157, 2003 WL 22230113 at  (10th Cir. Sept.29, 2003). If it is determined that Hammons has stated a claim for relief under RLUIPA, appellees may then raise any appropriate defenses to the RLUIPA claim. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a); Fed. R.Civ.P. 12(b). 3