Opinion ID: 62940
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The FMLA and Sovereign Immunity

Text: Before reaching the merits of this appeal, we first pause to make clear that Nelson's FMLA claim is, in fact, subject to an Eleventh Amendment immunity defense. In pertinent part, the FMLA guarantees eligible employees twelve workweeks of leave during any twelve month period for the following reasons: (A) Because of the birth of a son or daughter of the employee and in order to care for such son or daughter. (B) Because of the placement of a son or daughter with the employee for adoption or foster care. (C) In order to care for the spouse, or a son, daughter, or parent, of the employee, if such spouse, son, daughter, or parent has a serious health condition. (D) Because of a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the functions of the position of such employee. 29 U.S.C. § 2612(a)(1). [3] In this case, Nelson claims he was entitled to leave pursuant to subsection D. This court in Kazmier v. Widmann declared that the Eleventh Amendment immunized states from suits for money damages brought under subsections C and D of § 2612(a)(1). 225 F.3d 519, 526-29 (5th Cir.2000). Several years later, however, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress had validly exercised its power under § 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to abrogate the states' Eleventh Amendment immunity with respect to subsection C by enacting it to combat historic gender discrimination. Nev. Dep't of Human Res. v. Hibbs, 538 U.S. 721, 735, 123 S.Ct. 1972, 155 L.Ed.2d 953 (2003) (referencing the States' record of unconstitutional participation in, and fostering of, gender-based discrimination in the administration of leave benefits). The Court specifically noted evidence that the gender gap regarding leave was due to the pervasive sex-role stereotype that caring for family members is women's work. Id. at 731, 123 S.Ct. 1972. Because Hibbs concerned only subsection C of § 2612(a)(1), the Court made no comment on whether Congress validly abrogated sovereign immunity under subsection D. Since that time, the Sixth, Seventh, and Tenth Circuits have recognized that, despite the ruling in Hibbs, states may still assert an Eleventh Amendment immunity defense to claims brought pursuant to subsection D. Toeller v. Wis. Dep't of Corr., 461 F.3d 871, 877-80 (7th Cir.2006); Touvell v. Ohio Dep't of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities, 422 F.3d 392, 400-05 (6th Cir.2005); Brockman v. Wyo. Dep't of Family Servs., 342 F.3d 1159, 1164-65 (10th Cir.2003). The rationale behind these decisions is that subsection D, which concerns leave for purposes of self-care as opposed to the care of family members, does not appear to be in response to any nationwide history of gender discrimination that would permit Congress to act under § 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment. See, e.g., Touvell, 422 F.3d at 400-05; Brockman, 342 F.3d at 1164. Therefore, those circuits concluded that Congress lacked the power to legislatively remove the states' immunity under subsection D. Toeller, 461 F.3d at 879-80; Touvell, 422 F.3d at 405; Brockman, 342 F.3d at 1165. Although neither party to this appeal challenges whether sovereign immunity still protects states from liability for suits brought under subsection D, we agree with the rationale of the Sixth, Seventh, and Tenth Circuits that the Supreme Court's ruling in Hibbs applies only to subsection C. Therefore, this court's decision in Kazmier still remains the law of this circuit with respect to subsection D. Consequently, Daniel may assert the defense of sovereign immunity in Nelson's suit against him in his official capacity under subsection D.