Opinion ID: 160839
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: 1 Appellees brought a class action lawsuit against Appellants, officials of the State of Utah (hereinafter Utah), alleging federal constitutional and statutory violations in the operation of Utah's child welfare system. After the district court extended the deadline for answering the complaint, the parties were involved in settlement negotiations for a full year. The parties eventually entered into a settlement agreement (the Agreement) which imposed numerous obligations on Utah, including, inter alia, obligations to investigate reports of child abuse or neglect within specific deadlines; provide placement support services for foster parents; and ensure that foster children attend school and receive medical and dental treatment. The Agreement was incorporated into a final order signed by the district court on August 29, 1994 (the Consent Decree), and its provisions became binding on the parties. 2 By its terms, the Agreement was to terminate four years after it was approved by the district court. At the end of the four-year period, however, Utah was not in compliance with the terms of the Agreement. Appellees filed a motion pursuant to Rule 60(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure seeking relief from the four-year termination provision. The district court granted the relief requested and Utah appealed. Exercising jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1292(a)(1), we affirm.