Document: 546 U.S. 151 (2006) UNITED STATES v. GEORGIA ET AL. No. 04-1203. Supreme Court of United States. Argued November 9, 2005. Decided January 10, 2006.[*] *152 Solicitor General Clement argued the cause for States in With him on brief were Acting Assistant Attorney Schlozman, Patricia A. Millett, David K. Flynn, and Sarah E. Harrington. Samuel R. Bagenstos petitioner 04-1236. briefs Drew S. Days III, Beth Brinkmann, Seth M. Galanter. Gregory Castanias respondents both cases. Thurbert Baker, Georgia, Kathleen Pacious, Deputy General, John C. Jones, Senior Langford, General. Gene Schaerr filed a State Tennessee et al. as amici curiae urging affirmance Paul G. Summers, Tennessee, Michael Moore, Linda T. Coberly, King Poor, Roberto J. Sánchez Ramos, Secretary Justice Puerto Rico, Attorneys their respective follows: Troy Alabama, W. Suthers Colorado, Jane Brady Delaware, Lawrence Wasden Idaho, Mike Cox Michigan, Brian Sandoval Nevada, Kelly Ayotte New Hampshire, Edmondson Oklahoma, *153 Hardy Myers Oregon, Rob McKenna Washington, Patrick Crank Wyoming.[] JUSTICE SCALIA delivered opinion Court. We consider whether disabled inmate state prison may sue money damages under Title II Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA or Act), 104 Stat. 337, amended, 42 U.S.C. § 12131 seq. (2000 ed. Supp. II). I A ADA provides that "no qualified individual disability shall, by reason such disability, be excluded from participation denied benefits services, programs, activities public entity, subjected to discrimination any entity." 12132 ed.). "`qualified disability'" is defined "an who, without reasonable modifications rules, policies, practices, removal architectural, communication, transportation barriers, provision auxiliary aids *154 meets essential eligibility requirements receipt services programs provided 12131(2). The defines "`public entity'" include "any local government" department, agency, . other instrumentality State," 12131(1). have previously held this term includes prisons. See Pennsylvania Dept. Corrections Yeskey, 524 206, 210 (1998). authorizes suits private citizens against entities violate 12132. 12133 (incorporating reference 29 794a). In enacting ADA, Congress "invoke[d] sweep congressional authority, including power enforce fourteenth amendment ." 12101(b)(4). Moreover, "[a] shall not immune eleventh Constitution an action [a] Federal court competent jurisdiction violation chapter." 12202. accepted latter statement unequivocal expression Congress's intent abrogate sovereign immunity. Board Trustees Univ. Ala. Garrett, 531 356, 363-364 (2001). B Petitioner 04-1236, Tony Goodman, paraplegic Georgia system at all relevant times, was housed Prison Reidsville. After filing numerous administrative grievances system, Goodman pro se complaint District Southern challenging conditions his confinement. He named defendants Department (state defendants) several officials. brought claims Rev. 1979, 1983, provisions *155 here, seeking injunctive relief defendants. Goodman's subsequent filings included many allegations, grave trivial, regarding confinement Reidsville prison. Among more serious he claimed confined 23-to-24 hours per day 12-by-3-foot cell which could turn wheelchair around. alleged lack accessible facilities rendered unable use toilet shower assistance, often denied. On multiple occasions, asserted, had injured himself attempting transfer own, and, been forced sit own feces urine while officials refused assist cleaning up waste. also physical therapy medical treatment, access virtually account disability. adopted Magistrate Judge's recommendation allegations vague constituted insufficient notice pleading 1983 claims. It therefore dismissed providing opportunity amend complaint. Later, after our decision granted summary judgment damages, holding those barred appealed Appeals Eleventh Circuit. States, 04-1203, intervened defend constitutionality II's abrogation Circuit determined erred dismissing claims, because *156 facts sufficient support "a limited number Eighth-Amendment 1983" certain App. Pet. Cert. p. 17a, judgt. order reported 120 Fed. Appx. 785 (2004). should given leave develop three Eighth Amendment relating confinement: "First, alleges able move cell. If believed, effectively amounts some form total restraint twenty-three twenty-four hours-a-day penal justification. Second, has instances bodily waste provide assistance. Third, conduct proceed claim based staff's supposed `deliberate indifference' condition being partially pp. 18a-19a (citation footnote omitted). remanded suit permit complaint, cautioning reassert initial "some [we]re obviously frivolous." Id., 18a. did address sufficiency II. Instead, relying its prior Miller King, 384 F.3d 1248 (2004), affirmed Court's certiorari validly abrogates immunity respect issue here. 544 1031 (2005). *157 reversing dismissal actual violations agents grounds set forth above. 18a-19a. does contest holding, see Brief Respondents 41-44, we grant merits claims; assume deciding, therefore, Circuit's treatment these correct. urges, dispute, same violated ADA. 46; 41-44. fact, it quite plausible deliberate refusal accommodate disability-related needs fundamentals mobility, hygiene, care, "exclu[sion] deni[al of] of" prison's "services, activities." 12132; U.S., (noting phrase activities" recreational, medical, educational, vocational programs). Therefore, evidently based, least large part, independently 1 Fourteenth Amendment. Louisiana ex rel. Francis Resweber, 329 459, 463 (1947) (plurality opinion) (the Due Process Clause incorporates Amendment's guarantee cruel unusual punishment). respect, differs claimants cases addressing ability pursuant 5 powers. Lane, 541 509, 543, n. 4 (2004) (Rehnquist, J., dissenting) (respondents actually constitutional *158 rights); Nevada Human Resources Hibbs, 538 721, 752, 755 (2003) (Kennedy, (Nevada family "on gender-neutral basis" practice no one contends suffers infirmity"); 362, 367-368 (failure make special accommodations requested unconstitutional); Kimel Florida Bd. Regents, 528 62, 69-70, 83-84 (2000) (most petitioners raised nonconstitutional disparate-impact challenges State's age-related policies); Prepaid Postsecondary Ed. Expense College Savings Bank, 527 627, 643-644, 9 (1999) (Florida satisfied due process remedies patent infringement actors); City Boerne Flores, 521 507, 512 (1997) (church building neutral law general applicability). While Members disagreed scope "prophylactic" enforcement powers Amendment, see, e. g., 513 (majority Stevens, J.); id., dissenting); 554 (Scalia, dissenting), doubts grants "enforce provisions" creating provisions. "Section create through citizen vindicate rights." 559-560 (citing Ku Klux Klan April 20, 1871, 17 13); Fitzpatrick Bitzer, 427 445, 456 (1976) ("In [§ 5] expressly authority substantive Amendment" actions (emphasis added)); Ex parte Virginia, 100 339, 346 (1880) ("The prohibitions are directed empowered ."). This *159 authorizing Fitzpatrick, supra, 456. Thus, insofar creates violates unconstitutional conduct. From Court, clear precisely what intended allege Because issue, likewise unclear extent underlying ordered but instructed revise factual exclude "frivolous" claimssome far afield (under either provision), even violations. See, 50 (demanding "steam table" housing unit). amended will assert premised Once lower courts best situated determine first instance, claim-by-claim basis, (1) aspects II; (2) misconduct Amendment; (3) purported class nevertheless valid. *160 * reversed, further proceedings consistent opinion. so ordered. STEVENS, whom GINSBURG joins, concurring. holds Constitution. Ante, 159. And correctly chosen challenge prospective State. 6; 1248, 1264 (CA11 2004). Rather than define outer limits valid basis present record, wisely permits parties, guided 509 record inform decision.[*] join important emphasize although reversal, suggest *161 only right applicable context issue. As explain, when revisit they analyze "actual provision)," ante, 159 added), evaluate "Congress's [in contexts] valid," ibid. approach mirrors taken identified constellation "basic guarantees" seeks ultimately evaluated appropriate response "class cases" hand. 522-523, 531. focus arises simply fact found properly. today fully recognition history mistreatment leading Congress' extend protections inmates 524-525 (describing "backdrop pervasive unequal treatment" enactment II); also, 391-424 (2001) (Appendixes Breyer, (listing submissions made Task Force Rights Empowerment showing, example, prisoners developmental disabilities subject longer terms imprisonment prisoners); 2 House Committee Education Labor, Legislative History Public Law 101-336: Act, 101st Cong., 2d Sess., 1331 (Comm. Print 1990) (stating persons hearing impairments "have arrested jail over night ever knowing *162 rights nor for"); 1005 police man AIDS "[i]nstead putting jail, officers locked inside car spend night"); California Justice, General's Commission Disability: Final Report 103 (Dec. 1989) (finding unnecessarily "confined units where work, job training, recreation rehabilitation limited"). points out arguing remedy constitutes prophylactic legislation context, reviewed deliberations preceding comparable respects recently uphold application title entire implicating fundamental courts. 533-534. true involving inadequate care inhumane perhaps most numerous, myriad types prisoners, abridgment religious liberties, undue censorship, interference judicial process, procedural Vitek 445 480 (1980) (procedural process); May Sheahan, 226 876 (CA7 2000) (access lawyers, legal materials, reading materials); Littlefield Deland, 641 F.2d 729 (CA10 1981) writing Nolley County Erie, 776 F. 715 (WDNY 1991) library services). Indeed, identifying free punishment performing step "congruence proportionality" inquiry *163 507 (1997). Miller, F.3d, 1272, 28 (declining entertain States' argument Lane requires consideration beyond Amendment); 19a (relying find Amendment). By remanding proceedings, parties substantial apply framework Given benefits, agree await before trying context. NOTES [*] Together al., court. [] Briefs reversal ADAPT Smith, Mark Heilbrun, Stephen Gold, Elizabeth Alexander, Fathi, Richard Taranto, Gerald Weber, Catherine Hanssens, Steve Banks, Boston, Rhonda Brownstein, Leonard Zandrow; American Association Mental Retardation James Ellis, B. Browde, Land; Bar Robert Grey, Jr.; former President George H. Bush Boyden Gray Hut, Lawyers' Civil Under Charles Lester, Jr., Barbara Arnwine, L. Foreman, Ossai Miazad, Vincent Eng, Elliot Mincberg, Angela Ciccolo; National Disability Network Behan Joan Magagna; Paralyzed Veterans America Jerrold Ganzfried McCallum; Dick Thornburgh D. Siegal, Bradley Phillips, Daniel P. Collins, Peter Blanck, Arlene Mayerson, Eve Hill. Such definition necessary prohibits "`a somewhat broader swath conduct'" itself forbids. 533, 24 (quoting 81 (2000)). absolutely resolution question, surely aid understanding issues how, practice, "reasonableness" requirement applies cf. 531-532 (explaining "`reasonable modifications'"), covered II, 83, ¶ 14 (complaining to, among things, "television, phone calls, [and] entertainment").

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